"Why Do I Sing About Jesus?"

Deep in my heart there’s a gladness;
Jesus has saved me from sin!
Praise to His name, what a Savior!
Cleansing without and within!

Refrain
Why do I sing about Jesus?
Why is He precious to me?
He is my Lord and my Saviour,
Dying, He set me free!

Only a glimpse of His goodness,
That was sufficient for me.
Only one look at the Saviour;
Then was my spirit set free.

He is the fairest of fair ones;
He is the Lily, the Rose.
Rivers of mercy surround Him;
Grace, love and pity He shows.

- Albert A. Ketchum, 20th Century

Copyright 1923. Renewal 1951 by A. A. Ketchum.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

" Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven"

Since Christ my soul from sin set free,
This world has been a heav’n to me;
And ’mid earth’s sorrows and its woe
’Tis Heav’n my Jesus here to know.

Refrain
O hallelujah, yes, ’tis heav’n,
’Tis heav’n to know my sins forgiv’n!
On land or sea, what matters where?
Where Jesus is, ’tis heaven there.

Once heaven seemed a far off place,
Till Jesus showed His smiling face.
Now it’s begun within my soul,
’Twill last while endless ages roll.

What matters where on earth we dwell?
On mountain top, or in the dell,
In cottage, or a mansion fair,
Where Jesus is, ’tis heaven there.

- Charles J. Butler, 19th Century

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"The Peace that Jesus Gives"

Like the sunshine after rain,
Like a rest that follows pain,
Like a hope returned again,
Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Refrain
Oh, the peace that Jesus gives
Never dies; it always lives.
Like the music of a psalm,
Like a glad, eternal calm,
Is the peace that Jesus gives,
Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Like the soft, refreshing dew,
Like a rosy daybreak new,
Like a friendship tender, true,
Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Like a river deep and long,
With its current ceaseless, strong,
Like the cadence of a song,
Is the peace that Jesus gives.

- Haldor Lillenas, 1885-1959

Copyright 1930. Renewed 1958 by Lillenas Publishing Co.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"The Name of Jesus"

The name of Jesus is so sweet,
I love its music to repeat,
It makes my joys full and complete,
The precious name of Jesus!

Refrain
“Jesus,” Oh how sweet the name!
“Jesus,” every day the same;
“Jesus,” let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever!

I love the name of Him whose heart
Knows all my griefs and bears a part,
Who bids all anxious fears depart -
I love the name of Jesus!

That name I fondly love to hear;
It never fails my heart to cheer;
Its music dries the falling tear.
Exalt the name of Jesus!

No word of man can ever tell
How sweet the name I love so well.
O let its praises ever swell!
O praise the name of Jesus!

- William C. Martin, 20th Century

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"My Wonderful Friend"

I found such a wonderful Savior
In Jesus, my Lord and my King!
Undying and true His devotion;
My heart shall his glad praises sing.

Refrain
Oh, what a wonderful Savior is He!
Constant and true is Jesus.
More than I fancied He ever could be
Is Jesus, my wonderful Friend.

Surpassing the love that a mother
May have for the child of her care;
The love of a sister or brother
With His we can never compare.

The pleasures the world could afford me
Are naught to compare with His joy;
The rapture and peace that He gives me,
Earth’s sorrows can never destroy.

When sorrow and pain are my portion,
When tears of bereavement must fall,
My Savior, my Friend, my Companion,
Will comfort and keep through it all.

When tempests around me are sweeping,
My Pilot and Guide He will be;
And safe is my soul in His keeping,
My mighty Deliv’rer is he.

- Haldor Lillenas, 1885 - 1959

Copyright 1919. Renewal 1947 by Nazarene Publishing House.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"My Sins Are Blotted Out, I Know!"

What a wondrous message in God's Word!
My sins are blotted out, I know!
If I trust in His redeeming blood,
My sins are blotted out, I know!

Refrain
My sins are blotted out, I know!
My sins are blotted out, I know!
They are buried in the depths of the deepest sea.
My sins are blotted out, I know!

Once my heart was black, but now what joy;!
My sins are blotted out, I know!
I have peace that nothing can destroy.
My sins are blotted out, I know!

I shall stand some day before my King.
My sins are blotted out, I know!
With the ransomed host I then shall sing:
"My sins are blotted out, I know!"

- Merrill Dunlop, 1927

Copyright 1927. Renewal 1955 by Merrill Dunlop. Used by permission.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company
~~~~~
“Many Christians have suffered great emotional, mental, and even physical disorders throughout life because they could never accept the fact that God has totally forgiven them. How important it is to realize that when God offers us His forgiveness, it is never a partial but always a total forgiveness - the slate is forever clean.”

Copied from “Amazing Grace - 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions” by Kenneth W. Osbeck © 1990 by Kregel Publications

" Living Forever"

Living forever, oh, marvelous thought!
Jesus to me immorality brought.
Living forever, though stars may decay,
Suns cease to shine and the world pass away!

Refrain
Living forever; Dying, no, never;
Life everlasting My portion shall be.
Wonderful story! To God be the glory!
I shall be living for all eternity.

Living forever where death is unknown,
Dwelling where sin never reigned on the throne;
Living forever where sorrowless days,
Days never ending are fragrant with praise!

Living forever where love never dies,
In that fair land where are said no goodbys;
Living forever where hope is fulfilled
And all the voices of sorrow are stilled!

Living forever - oh, destiny bright -
In that bright Eden where cometh no night!
Living forever with Jesus will be
Heaven and glory sufficient for me.

- Haldor Lillenas, 1885-1959

Copyright 1923 Renewed 1951 by Lillenas Publishing Co.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"Jesus Has Lifted Me"

This story falls into the category of "amusingly ironic." Haldor Lillenas was a Nazarene pastor and prolific hymn writer. He wrote the tune for a song by Alfred Barrett, "Let It Be You and I."

The tune made its way to Arthur McKee, an evangelist and editor at the Tabernacle Publishing Company. McKee didn't care for the lyrics, and asked Avis Christiansen to try her hand at writing new words. Some of her hymns are:

It Is Glory Just To Walk With Him...Only Glory By and By...Only One Life...Precious Hiding Place...Victory In Jesus

She wrote new lyrics and the song was published in 1916 in Tabernacle Praises (edited by McKee).

Lillenas was not happy about the change in lyrics, but eventually accepted them when the song became popular. It is the resounding hymn of praise..."Jesus Has Lifted Me."

- J. D. Sherrow
Used by permission
~~~~~
Out of the depths to the glory above,
I have been lifted in wonderful love.
From every fetter my spirit is free -
For Jesus has lifted me!

Refrain
Jesus has lifted me!
Jesus has lifted me!
Out of the night into glorious light,
Yes, Jesus has lifted me!

Out of the world into heavenly rest,
Into the land of the ransomed and blest,
There in the glory with Him I shall be -
For Jesus has lifted me!

Out of myself into Him I adore,
There to hide in His love evermore.
Through endless ages His glory to see -
My Jesus has lifted me!

- Avis M. Christiansen, 1916

Copyright 1918. Renewal 1946 by H. Lillenas. Used by permission.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"I Would Be Like Jesus"

Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldy shall enthrall me;
I would be like Jesus.

Refrain
Be like Jesus this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.

He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.

All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
I would be like Jesus.

That in heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words, “Well done,” may greet me,
I would be like Jesus.

- James Rowe, 1865-1933

Copyright 1912 by E. O. Excell. © Renewed 1940 by The Rodeheaver Co. Used by permission.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company
~~~~~
“Like our Lord, we have been called to have the spirit of a servant, spending and being spent, meeting the needs of others. But we cannot develop a Christ-like life merely on the basis of religious activity or even an accumulation of biblical knowledge, as important as knowledge and sound doctrine are to Christian living. Rather, spiritual maturity - Christ-like living - is the result of an implicit obedience to God’s will for our lives, even as our Lord was always obedient to the will of His Father.”

Copied from “Amazing Grace - 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions” by Kenneth W. Osbeck © 1990 by Kregel Publications
~~~~~

"Blessed Be the Fountain"

Blessed be the fountain of Blood,
To a world of sinners revealed.
Blessed be the dear Son of God -
Only by His stripes we are healed.
Tho’ I’ve wandered far from His fold,
Bringing to my heart pain and woe,
Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain
Whiter than the snow,
Whiter than the snow; -
Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Thorny was the crown that He wore,
And the Cross His body o’ercame;
Grievous were the sorrows He bore,
But He suffered thus not in vain.
May I to that fountain be led,
Made to cleanse my sins here below;
Wash me in the blood that He shed,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

Father, I have wandered from Thee;
Often has my heart gone astray.
Crimson do my sins seem to me -
Water cannot wash them away.
Jesus, to the fountain of Thine,
Leaning on Thy promise, I go;
Cleanse me by Thy washing divine,
And I shall be whiter than snow.

- Eden R. Latta, 19th Century

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

Refrain
I know, I know that Jesus liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know, that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

I know His promise never faileth,
The word He speaks, it cannot die.
Though cruel death my flesh assaileth,
Yet I shall see Him by and by.

I know my mansion He prepareth,
That where He is there I may be.
O wondrous thought, for me He careth,
And He at last will come for me!

- Jessie Brown Pounds, 1861 - 1921

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"I Need Jesus"

I need Jesus; my need I now confess.
No friend like Him in times of deep distress!
I need Jesus; the need I gladly own.
Though some may bear their load alone,
Yet I need Jesus.

Refrain
I need Jesus; I need Jesus.
I need Jesus every day.
Need Him in the sunshine hour,
need Him when the storm clouds low'r;
Every day along my way,
Yes, I need Jesus.

I need Jesus, I need a Friend like Him,
A Friend to guide when paths of life are dim.
I need Jesus when foes my soul assail.
Alone I know I can but fail,
So I need Jesus.

I need Jesus; I need Him to the end.
No one like Him - He is the sinner's Friend.
I need Jesus; no other friend will do.
So constant, kind, so strong and true -
Yes, I need Jesus.

- George O. Webster, 1866 - 1942

Copyright 1924 by Homer A. Rodeheaver. © Renewed 1952, The Rodeheaver Company.

Copied from “Worship In Song” Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"A Heart Like Thine"

Give me a love that knows no ill;
Give me the grace to do thy will.
Pardon and cleanse this soul of mine;
Give me a heart like Thine.

Refrain
Come to my soul, blessed Jesus.
Hear me, O Saviour divine!
Open the fountain and cleanse me;
Give me a heart like Thine.

Only a joy, a few brief years;
Only a dream, a vale of tears;
Vain is this world I now resign.
Give me a heart like Thine

Pillow my head upon Thy breast;
Shelter my soul and give me rest;
Fill me with love as I recline.
Give me a heart like Thine.

- Judson W. VanDeventer, 1855-1939

Copyright 1920 by Homer A. Rodeheaver. © Renewed 1948. Used by permission.

Copied from "€œWorship In Song"€ Copyright © 1972 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"Wonderful Words of Life"

Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life!
Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life!
Words of life and beauty Teach me faith and duty.

Refrain
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life!
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life!

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all Wonderful words of life!
Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life!
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the gospel call, Wonderful words of life!
Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life!
Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify us forever.

- Philip P. Bliss, 1874

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

" He Leadeth Me"

He leadeth me! O blessed tho’t!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain
He leadeth me; He leadeth me.
By His own hand He leadeth me.
His faithful fol-l’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

- Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"O How He Loves You and Me"

O how He loves you and me!
O how He loves you and me!
He gave His life; what more could He give?
O how He loves you; O how He loves me;
O how He loves you and me!

Jesus to Calv’ry did go,
His love for sinners to show.
What He did there brought hope from despair.
O how He loves you; O how He loves me;
O how He loves you and me!

- Kurt Kaiser, 1975

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome"

Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Holy Spirit, Thou art welcome in this place.
Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace,
Thou art welcome in this place.

- Dottie Rambo and David Huntsinger, 1977

Copyright © 1977, John T. Benson Publishing. Used by permission Benson Music Group.

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"And Can It Be"

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Refrain
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Refrain
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray.
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off; my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Refrain
My chains fell off; my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread!
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne
And claim the crown, thro’ Christ my own.
Refrain
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, thro’ Christ my own.

- Charles Wesley, 1738

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company

"At the Cross"

Alas! and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Refrain
At the cross, at the cross,
where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'Tis all that I can do.

- Isaac Watts, 1707; refrain, Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

Copied from“Sing to the Lord” © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company