Long before modern worship music filled auditoriums, there was a simple hymn that said everything faith needed to say in a handful of lines.
“Jesus Loves Me” has stood the test of time not because it is complicated, but because it is true.
It has been sung in churches, Sunday school classrooms, and mission fields across the world for over a century and a half, and it continues to carry the same weight today as it did when it was first written in 1859.
This article gives you the complete lyrics and the story behind one of the most never-ending hymns ever written.
If you are looking for the words to sing with your congregation, teach to a child, or simply read in a quiet moment, you are in exactly the right place.
All About the Hymn
What began as a few lines in a novel became one of the most widely sung hymns in Christian history. Anna Bartlett Warner wrote the words in 1859 as part of “Say and Seal,” a novel she co-authored with her sister Susan.
The song revolves around the storyline of a Sunday school teacher singing words of comfort to a dying child, and that setting reflects exactly what the hymn was always meant to do.
It carries a message of unconditional love, assurance, and the unshakeable belief that God’s love extends to every person regardless of age or circumstance.
The hymn has been translated into hundreds of languages and appears in over 695 hymnals worldwide, making it one of the most widely published hymn texts in history.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hymn Title | Jesus Loves Me |
| Author | Anna Bartlett Warner |
| Composer | William B. Bradbury |
| Written | 1859 |
| Tune Published | 1862 |
| Genre | Christian Hymn |
| Language | English |
| Meter | 7.7.7.7 with Refrain |
| Copyright | Public Domain |
Full Lyrics of The Hymn “Jesus Loves Me.”
Here are the lyrics to “Jesus Loves Me” as performed by Rosemary Siemens, for all who wish to sing along.
Verse 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.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Verse 2
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gates to open wide.
He has washed away my sin,
Let his little child come in.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Verse 3
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me on my way.
He’s prepared a home for me,
And one day His face I’ll see.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Hymns Similar to “Jesus Loves Me”
If “Jesus Loves Me” holds a special place in your worship or personal faith, then these hymns share the same spirit of simplicity, assurance, and devotion that has made it endure for generations.
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Jesus Loves the Little Children: A short, straightforward hymn built on the same foundation of God’s love for all people regardless of background.
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Amazing Grace by John Newton: A hymn of personal testimony and redemption, written with the same honest simplicity that made “Jesus Loves Me” accessible to believers of all ages and backgrounds.
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What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Joseph M. Scriven: It’s a gentle, reassuring hymn that speaks directly to the comfort of faith, carrying the same warmth and personal connection to Jesus.
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Tell Me the Stories of Jesus by William H. Parker: A children’s hymn that sits in the same devotional space as “Jesus Loves Me,” built around a child’s relationship with the life and teachings of Christ.
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Jesus Bids Us Shine by Susan Warner: This hymn, written by Susan Warner, shares the same simple, scripture-rooted language and is often sung alongside “Jesus Loves Me” in children’s worship settings.
Hymn Writers Similar to Anna Bartlett Warner
- Fanny Crosby
Genre: Christian Hymn
Top Work: Blessed Assurance - Charles Wesley
Genre: Christian Hymn
Top Work: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Isaac Watts
Genre: Christian Hymn
Top Work: Joy to the World - Susan Warner
Genre: Christian Hymn
Top Work: Jesus Bids Us Shine
- Philip Bliss
Genre: Christian Hymn
Top Work: It Is Well With My Soul
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Original “Jesus Loves Me” Hymn?
The original hymn was written by Anna Bartlett Warner in 1859 and first appeared in her novel “Say and Seal.” William B. Bradbury later composed the tune and added the refrain in 1861.
What Did Theologian Karl Barth Say About “Jesus Loves Me”?
During his 1962 lecture tour of the United States, when asked to summarise his entire theological work in one sentence, Karl Barth responded by quoting the opening line of this hymn.
How Many Original Verses Did “Jesus Loves Me” Have?
The original hymn had four verses. The third verse, referencing illness, is commonly left out today as it was specific to the novel’s storyline.
Who was Johnny Fax in the Context of “Jesus Loves Me”?
Johnny Fax was a sick little boy in the novel “Say and Seal” who was comforted by his Sunday school teacher, John Linden, who rocked the child in his arms and sang the four original stanzas of this hymn when the boy asked him to sing.
