Verse 1

There is something in God’s essence

that’s too easily overlooked,

possessed only by God,

and by no human being

no matter how good or how great,

nor by the God that they imagine.

What is this thing? It is God’s selflessness.

Verse 2

You might think you’re selfless

for you don’t haggle with your children,

or you might think you’re selfless

when it comes to your parents.

But man is just too selfish

to be able to see God’s selflessness

among all people, all things, and the work of His hands.

Chorus 1

Man’s selflessness is for himself;

God’s selflessness is His own essence, it is His essence.

Because of God’s selflessness,

He will always provide for man, provide for man.

Verse 3

Man lives in a material world.

You may follow God, but you never see

how He provides for and loves,

and how He cares for you.

You see your blood family who love you devotedly,

you care about the things and the people you love,

and call this selflessness.

Bridge

Such selfless people aren’t concerned

about the God that gives them life, gives them life.

In contrast to that of God’s, man’s selflessness

is selfish and despicable, it is despicable.

The selflessness man believes in is empty and impure.

It is incompatible, it is unrelated to God.

Chorus 1

Man’s selflessness is for himself;

God’s selflessness is His own essence, it is His essence.

Because of God’s selflessness,

He will always provide for man, provide for man.

Verse 4

You might not fully grasp this,

and you just nod your approval.

But if you’d see God’s heart,

maybe you will learn

among all that’s in the world,

only God’s selflessness is real.

Only God’s love is pure and unconditional.

Chorus 2

Man’s selflessness is for himself;

God’s selflessness is His own essence, it is His essence.

For anyone but God, all selflessness is false,

with a purpose and a tradeoff; it is unable to stand a test.

God’s selflessness is His essence, it is His essence.

Adapted from The Word, Vol. 2. On Knowing God. God’s Work, God’s Disposition, and God Himself I