This morning, the gentle melody of “Have I Told You Lately,” resonated in my ears, a song penned and first sung in 1989 by the iconic Van Morrison. This classic track, deeply embedded in the tapestry of love songs, invites reflection on the profound and multifaceted nature of love itself. Before delving deeper, it’s worth understanding the song’s origins and initial reception.
According to Wikipedia, “Have I Told You Lately” emerged from Van Morrison’s nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset (1989). Initially conceived as a prayer, this romantic ballad has transcended its spiritual roots to become a staple at weddings and a testament to enduring affection. Released as the lead single on June 5, 1989, it climbed to number 12 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, solidifying its place in popular music. Its universal appeal is further evidenced by countless covers from various artists, including Rod Stewart’s rendition in 1993, each adding their own flavor to this timeless piece.
The song’s structure, built upon the foundation of “Someone Like You,” is beautifully prefaced on Avalon Sunset by “I’d Love to Write Another Song,” with the lines “In poetry I’d carve it well/ I’d even make it rhyme.” As music critic Brian Hinton eloquently puts it, this prelude sets the stage for “One of the finest love songs of the century.” Hinton recounts his emotional first encounter with the song, describing it as both novel and deeply familiar, a sentiment many listeners share. He further interprets the song’s essence as a transmutation of earthly love into divine love, echoing Dante’s sentiment of a shared divine love. The imagery of the morning sun setting by the song’s end subtly hints at love’s connection to life’s transient nature, even mortality.
Heart-shaped flower on a serene beach, visually representing the tender sentiment of the song Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Original
To truly appreciate the song’s depth, let’s consider the lyrics themselves:
“Have I Told You Lately” Lyrics Excerpt
Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there’s no one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that’s what you do
There’s a love that’s divine
And it’s yours and it’s mine
Like the sun at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the One
These words, seemingly simple, resonate with profound emotion. The repeated affirmation, “Have I told you lately that I love you,” emphasizes the importance of verbalizing affection. It’s a gentle reminder not to take loved ones for granted and to express our feelings openly and often. The lyrics beautifully capture the joy and comfort a loved one brings, someone who fills life with “gladness” and eases “troubles.” The bridge, “There’s a love that’s divine / And it’s yours and it’s mine,” elevates the song beyond mere romantic sentiment, hinting at a deeper, perhaps spiritual dimension of love. This divine love, shared and universal, calls for gratitude and prayer, connecting personal affection to a larger, cosmic love.
While the song is undeniably romantic, its message extends beyond romantic relationships. The lyrics resonate with anyone who values love in their life, be it familial, platonic, or spiritual. As the original article points out, the song’s sentiment can readily be directed towards the divine. One YouTube commenter poignantly shared, “This song led me to look up to the skies and say, ‘God, have I told You lately that I love You.’” This personal reflection opens up a deeper exploration of love in a spiritual context.
This heartfelt comment naturally leads us to contemplate, “What does it mean to love God?” GotQuestions.org provides insightful answers, outlining several facets of loving God.
Firstly, loving God begins with knowing Him, a journey initiated through His Word. Understanding His nature and teachings naturally cultivates love. As GotQuestions.org states, “to know Him is to love Him.”
Secondly, love for God manifests in worship and praise. Quoting Luke 4:8, “‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only,’” they emphasize worship as a fundamental expression of love. The Psalms, rich with examples of adoration and reverence, serve as guides to expressing this love through worship.
Putting God first is another crucial aspect. Mark 12:30’s commandment to love God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” highlights the totality of this love. It’s about prioritizing God above worldly desires, recognizing that true love for God is also reflected in love for others (Mark 12:31), while remaining distinct from worldly attachments (1 John 2:15).
Love for God also involves desire and yearning for His righteousness, Word, and grace. Psalm 42:1’s longing, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God,” poignantly illustrates this deep desire for divine connection. This yearning leads to seeking His presence, much like Mary of Bethany listening at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39), and finding joy in His Word, as described in Psalm 19:10.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, obedience is a tangible expression of love for God. Jesus himself states in John 14:15, “If you love me you will obey what I command.” This obedience stems not from duty but from a heart transformed by love, eager to please and follow His commands, as Psalm 40:8 beautifully expresses, “I delight to do your will.”
Building upon this understanding of loving God, we might then ask, “How can I have God’s Word hidden in my heart?” Again, GotQuestions.org offers valuable insights.
Drawing from Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you,” they emphasize the transformative power of God’s Word in guarding against sin. The Hebrew word for “hidden” implies treasuring, valuing, and storing up, suggesting that God’s Word should be deeply embedded within us.
Bible verse Luke 10:27 displayed visually, highlighting the command to love God and neighbor, a key message inspired by Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Original
They outline practical ways to internalize God’s Word, drawing from Deuteronomy 11:18–20, which commands fixing God’s words in hearts and minds. These methods include:
Reading the Bible consistently to know God and His plan (2 Timothy 3:16).
Listening to God’s Word, as Proverbs 2:1–5 highlights the benefits of heeding divine wisdom, and Romans 10:17 connects hearing the Word to faith.
Writing down thoughts and reflections on Scripture to clarify and strengthen biblical truths (Proverbs 7:1–3).
Talking About God’s Word with others to reinforce and illuminate its teachings (Deuteronomy 6:7).
Studying the Scriptures diligently for deeper understanding, using tools like study Bibles (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15).
Meditating on God’s Word day and night, as Psalm 1:2 encourages, to transform our thinking and behavior (Psalm 119:97, Romans 12:2).
For those feeling overwhelmed, James 1:5-7 advises seeking wisdom from God through prayer, with faith and without doubt, promising divine guidance.
Ultimately, all commandments and prophecies are summarized in two core directives, as Jesus articulated in response to a Pharisee’s question about the greatest commandment. GotQuestions.org elucidates this pivotal teaching from Matthew 22:37–40.
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” These two commandments encapsulate the entirety of divine law, emphasizing the interconnectedness of loving God and loving neighbor. A right relationship with God is foundational to right relationships with others.
While these commandments are clear, living them out fully remains a lifelong journey. We are reminded of our inherent limitations and reliance on divine grace. As Romans 4:5 states, God “justifies the ungodly.” It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we find redemption and the hope of righteousness (Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10).
In conclusion, the timeless ballad “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Original” serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of love in all its forms. It prompts us to not only express our love to those around us but also to reflect on our love for the divine. As Jesus taught, let us strive to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is the essence of love, beautifully echoed in Van Morrison’s enduring song.
YouTube Video: “Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey
