As I’ve mentioned before part of our service each week at mgpc includes a corporate act of confession of sin and assurance of God’s forgiveness. Most usually we sing a song that testifies to our sin and Christ’s atoning work on our behalf.
Lots of songs make mention of varying aspects of confession, salvation and assurance so this time serves to deepen our appreciation of the wideness of God’s mercy and help us express thanksgiving with greater freedom.
For some time I’ve been wanting to use the song ‘Jesus loves me, this I know’ for this aspect of our worship. The simplicity and profundity of this song are amazing. Anna B. Warner’s poetry, supplemented by William Batchelder Bradbury’s chorus and music have been precious to children and those beyond childhood for a generations.
Last year we sang some hymns at a local nursing home. A new resident of the home, with limited English language skills sat and listened with approval as we sang. Then we began ‘Jesus loves me, this I know’ and his visage changed and tears began to well in his eyes…
Here are the lyrics we sang this morning (there are plenty of variations and extra verses floating around, but these are identical to the those which were in the older Presbyterian Church Hymnary, Revised)
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.
Chorus.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
the Bible tells me so.
2.
Jesus loves me! He who died,
heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
let His little child come in.
Chorus.
Yes, Jesus loves me …
3.
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.
Chorus.
Yes, Jesus loves me …
Hymn from the Rejoice! Hymn Book, Presbyterian Church of Australia
This is probably a little over-done for my tastes, but it’s good on its own merits. Just think of it as a little bit overdressed. And be thankful I spared you Whitney Houston or overly cute kids.
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