The Children's Song with a Lack of Commitment

There can be no doubt that “Jesus Loves Me” is one of the most well-known and loved songs on earth. While we usually think of it as a children’s song, the message is universal. To be honest, it is one of my favorites. Quite often I lead it at youth rallies with teens, and we sing it somewhat often in our worship here at 9th Avenue. [And, yes, it made the Top 99.]

Anna and Susan Warner co-wrote several books, trying to supplement their family income in the 1830s and 1840s.

One of their most successful joint projects was a novel titled Say and Seal in which a little boy named Johnny Fox is dying. His Sunday School teacher, John Linden, comforts him by taking him in his arms, rocking him, and making up a little song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” The novel became a best-seller, second only to Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and when hymnwriter William Bradbury read the words of John Linden’s little song (written by Anna), he composed a childlike musical score to go along with them. “Jesus Loves Me” soon became the best-known children’s hymn on earth. (Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, page 136, parenthesis in original)

To the best of my knowledge, the song, as originally published for children to sing, had five verses and the famous chorus. Here are the five verses, followed by that lovely refrain:

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! This I know,
as He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give,
Light and love to all who live.

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 hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

One newer songbook, though, has taken part of the message away from the song. The songbooks we use at 9th Avenue, Songs of Faith and Praise, has changed the wording to several songs, including “Jesus Loves Me.” While I still like the book, this is a change that should not have been made.

Instead of “I will henceforth live for Thee,” the editors of these songbooks have, “I will try to live for Thee” (emphasis added, song number 1014).

While we should “try to” live for Christ, those words obviously take some of the depth of meaning away from this great song. The original words are a strong statement of faith. If you will allow me to paraphrase, we are singing, “From this moment, I will not waver in my service to You.”

When we sang “Jesus Loves Me” in the Top 99, we sang the original words. Thankfully, most songbooks (and The Paperless Hymnal) still publish those words.

While we need to sing things we understand (but that’s another article), we also need to boldly proclaim the truth when we sing.

“I will henceforth live for Thee!”