is it because he doesn't want to get hurt or doesn't want to hurt me ?

sometime u wonder if this guy I like is holding out on trying to date me because he is till really messed up from his ex or he doesn't want to hurt me. he is really sweet and kind and he is always there for me and he would do anything for me ... but I told him that I love him ... and his whole demeanor changed so he told me to look up this song called say love by james tw... and I started crying because I knew the song ... and its all about how a guy tells a girl he loves her but she's like please dont say those words ... they've hurt me before. so is it just me or is he really not ready for this