God

Jesus Loves Me

/ Gail Johnson / 5 Comments

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love (John 15:9 KJV).

When I was growing up, I often heard the phrase ‘simple is best’ more times than I can count. It is still true today. Why create a masterpiece only to hide the truth amid clutter?

The classic hymn “Jesus Loves Me” is one of those songs with simple words and simple notes revealing profound truth to the reader, singer, and musician. Discovering how this treasure came to be was a thrilling journey.

I first read about the Warners in Robert J. Morgan’s Then Sings My Soul Book 3. If you haven’t read his books. Go purchase them. They will feed your heart, soul, and mind. I use them for devotions, private worship, and references. The background stories have lifted my flagging spirit many times.

Let’s get started.

Author

Henry Warner was a New York lawyer. He purchased land on the east side of the Hudson River called Constitution Island. He and his brother planned to build a resort hotel. When Henry lost his money in a financial disaster, he moved his family there instead. When he couldn’t pay his bills, the sheriff confiscated most of their personal belongings. His wife and several children passed, leaving two teenage daughters. His sister became a surrogate mom for Susan and Anna.

The girls spent their time learning as much as they could about nature, life, and the Bible. Both became prolific writers. Susan’s first book, The Wide, Wide World, was published by George Putnam and sold in bookstores. Anna’s first book, Dollars and Cents, was published under a pseudonym. Later they coauthored a Victorian Christian romance novel published in 1860. Anna wrote the first verse of Jesus Loves Me for a scene in that book. People loved it. When William B. Bradbury read the novel, he created a tune and added a chorus. The song became what we sing today.

That should inspire all writers!

Anyway, back to the story. Their ancestors fought in the American Revolution alongside George Washington. Susan and Anna taught Bible classes to West Point cadets. Both women were buried at West Point.

There is so much more about these ladies. I would love to see a historical novel based on their lives!

Song

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.

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou has bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Anna B. Warner | William B. Bradbury | Public Domain | 1859

Note

My hymnals listed different verses. I included the ones that were in more than one book.

I hope you enjoyed finding out more about this beloved hymn. Do you still sing this song? Share in the comments.

Doxology

/ Gail Johnson / 9 Comments

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven (Psalm 148:13).

Who is the psalmist speaking to in the above verse? Let’s read Psalm 148 for the answer!

The Scriptures

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 
Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

I think that covers all creation!

The Author

Thomas Ken 1637-1711

Thomas Ken was a man of courage, standing up for what was right, no matter the consequences. Hymnary.org has an author page dedicated to him. It is well worth the read. Read the story here.

The Song

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Thomas Ken | Public Domain

Giving Thanks

This song has been on a loop inside my heart for the past week. I pray you will join me in giving thanks and praising “Him from whom ALL blessings flow” as we celebrate with our families and friends!

YOU are one of those blessings. You have encouraged me this year, and it is because of YOU and the Lord that I didn’t quit. Thank you for sticking with me during my crazy summer. I thank the Lord for YOU.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

Gail

Let All the People Praise Thee

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long (Psalm 35:28).

The Song

1) Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
Ye people of His choice,
Let all to whom He lendeth breath
Now in His name rejoice.
For love’s blest revelation,
For rest from condemnation,
For uttermost salvation,
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good (Psalm 54:6).

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).


For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

CHORUS
Let all the people praise Thee.
Let all the people praise Thee!
Let all the people praise Thy name
Forever and forevermore.

2) Oh, praise Him for His holiness,
His wisdom, and His grace;
Sing praises for the precious Blood
Which ransomed all our race.
In tenderness He sought us;
From depths of sin He brought us;
The way of life then taught us.
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelations 4:11).

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12).

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).

3) Had I a thousand tongues to sing,
The half could ne’er be told
Of love so rich, so full and free,
Of blessings manifold,
Of grace that faileth never,
Peace flowing as a river
From God, the glorious Giver
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:3-4).

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace (Psalm 29:11).

Let All the People Praise Thee | Mrs. C. H. Morris | Public Domain

As we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, may we find more and more reasons to praise Him!