Jesus loves me, this I know

1
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
  Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
2
Jesus, take this heart of mine;
Make it pure and wholly Thine.
Thou hast bled and died for me;
I will live henceforth for Thee.
  Yes, I love Jesus.
Yes, I love Jesus.
Yes, I love Jesus.
In prayer I tell Him so.
47
Kristen

Mombasa, Sabasaba, Kenya

Very nice 😊


Ana Lara

United States

This hymn has influenced children for Christ more than any other. Written by Anna Bartlett Warner in 1860. Miss Warner wrote this text along with her sister Susan as part of one of the best-selling novels of the day titled “Seal and Say” which Susana authored. The novel is not well remembered but the poem by one of the characters Mrs. Linden as she comforts Johnny Fax who is dying has become a favorite around the world.

Anna and Susan were highly educated and deeply devoted Christian young women who lived all of their lives along the Hudson River in New York. Their home was located near West Point Academy and for a number of years they gave Sunday School classes to young cadets.

After the death of their father, a well known New York lawyer, the Warner sisters were left with a meager inheritance so they turned to literary writing. Susan became known for several of her works including the book, “The Wide, Wide World, ” considered to be a bestseller of its time after “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Anna, though not as well known as Susan, wrote a number of novels under the pseudonym “Amy Lothrop” and published two collections of verse, “Hymns of the Church Militant, ” 1858, and “Wayfaring Hymns, ” 1869.

“Jesus Loves Me” soon became popular and spread to other countries. Many stories by missionaries of the universal appeal this hymn had with children in every culture. It has been reported that it was appropriated by other religious sects.

Dr. William B. Bradbury, the composer of the music for this text, was the contributor of the early gospel hymnody of this country. He was born in York, Maine, on October 6, 1816. When he was young he moved to Boston, where he became associated with Lowell Mason, called the father of American public school and church music. Bradbury served as choir director and organist in several Baptist Churches in the East, where became well-known for his work with children. One of the highlights of his career were his annual Music Festivals, where more than a thousand children would gather, all dressed alike, and sing many of the songs he composed. Soon after Bradbury began to teach, write and publish volumes of music. He composed the music for “Jesus Loves Me” in 1861 especially for Anna Warner’s text and personally added the chorus to the four stanzas. It appeared in its present form in 1862 in his hymnal publication, “The Golden Shower. ”

Other hymns by William Bradbury include “He Leadeth Me, ” “Just As I Am, ” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer. ”


Gabrielle Scarpa

Las Vega, Nevada, United States

Never heard the second verse. I am playing this song with the ukulele and I was upset to see that there is no ukulele.


Edward Clark

Alexandria, United Kingdom

Just had the terrible nightmare couldn't get out of it the force was to powerful. Then I sang this song and it vanished.


Silindile

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

As I just tucked my children in bed, feeling overwhelmed by my current circumstances, sobbing like a child quietly. My son calls me and asks me to sing him this song. He asked before singing if I can switch the lights on so he can see my eyes (i ingored the second request ) I sang for him. I stopped crying and gained a bit of strength


Larry Zimdahl

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

Never heard that 2nd verse singing it 60 years.


Joe

Robbins, IL, United States

Just what I needed! Thank You LORD!!!


Todd

Farmersburg, IN, United States

This is not the exact hymm I sung in the church I went to as a young boy I have been trying to find it and I have come to the conclusion that there are several different versions of this song.


Steve Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

See Rick's testimony on June 9, 2015.

Children are the prized possession of the church. The highest priority of any congregation should be the teaching and training of youngsters in the ways of God. - '52 Hymn Stories Dramatized' by Kenneth W. Osbeck

I see there are many testimonies about this song from China. This hymn used to be titled "China" in some hymnals of the 19th century because it was "the favorite Hymn of China". - Wikipedia

Bradbury's 'Golden Shower of Sabbath School Melodies' (1862) had this note above the song: This little gem of a hymn was sent by a devoted Sunday School worker to the author of the Golden Shower, accompanied by the following note:

"I enclose a hymn for which I am very anxious to have a tune as beautiful as its words and thoughts. In our Sunday School it is a perfect CHARM. I have never known a hymn which so completely captivates the children. Boys who at first did all they could to break up our evening meetings, now venture inside, and CANNOT HELP joining us when we repeat those precious words, 'Jesus loves me.' There is but one thing wanting: give us a good tune, and we will make everything ring with its music; and the echo of that song will be felt in many hearts when you and I can no longer lead them." - hymnary


John

Irvine, CA, United States

This just popped into my head and had to Google it. I remember like most from childhood in church. Love it and I love the King of Kings.