Hymn of the Week – “Jesus Loves Me”

  Posted on June 23, 2016  by spiritofjoy  No comments

This week worship will be led by the Nesodak Daycamp Staff, so we won’t be singing this hymn in church on Sunday, but I thought it would be good to do a hymn that I am guessing most of you have sung at home to yourself, your kids or your grandchildren.

“Jesus Loves Me” is a hymn written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the context of an 1860 novel called Say and Seal, written by her older sister Susan Warner (1819–1885), in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. The tune was added in 1862 by William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus “Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus Loves me…” After publication as a song it became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world, especially among children.

Here is the original poem it was based on:
Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to him belong,—
They are weak, but he is strong.

Jesus loves me—loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high,
Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me—he will stay,
Close beside me all the way.
Then his little child will take,
Up to heaven for his dear sake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBALcN701NU

God’s peace to you!

Jon Mattheis, Coordinator of Worship Arts