Thursday Hymn Reflections: "Jesus Is Lord"

[NOTE: If you would like to add your song ideas for these “reflections” series, leave a comment with no more than 3 songs. There are almost 40 in the line-up now!]

The first verse of this song is very old, while additional verses have been added in the last 40 years. As the verses, especially the final one, have been added, the song has been much more used. It is a song that usually is accepted first by young people, but that adults love to.

I love this song for its simple message. It doesn’t get simpler than “Jesus is Lord, my Redeemer; how He loves me, how I love Him.” Each of those brief statements is a sermon in itself!

Probably what sets this song apart as a favorite for many, though, is the final verse, wherein the ladies sing a counter-melody. There are several different variations on the words, but here is one rendition:

Jesus came to die on Calvary;

To redeem a lost humanity;

Conquered death, He rose triumphantly,

Now He reigns for all eternity.

As the ladies sing these powerful words, the men simply sing “Alleluia” several times. That word, meaning “praise God,” lays a gorgeous background to great words about our Savior. When sung well, there are few songs that compare in beauty.

As I reflect on this song, though, I am also reminded that there is a phrase, sung twice, that we need to be careful about singing. Twice the words “Lord come quickly” appear in the text of the song. I have often warned people to be careful to mean that when they sing it! Are we really prepared and desiring that Christ return?

I cannot think of a youth rally where I have led singing when I failed to lead this song, but it is not just for young people. Jesus truly is Lord, and the words of this simple, but powerful hymn teach and encourage one another to lift Him up as such.

As I close, let me type the words of a little-sung verse to this song. It is only found in a few versions, but it is my favorite (other than the closing verse). Take time to reflect on these beautiful lyrics sometime today:

He still loves me,

Me, the sinner,

What a sorrow if I lost Him.

But He owns me,

Me, the sinner,

Praise our Jesus! Alleluia!

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What are your reflections on this hymn?