Jesus Loves Me is a timeless declaration of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and salvation. Emphasizing childlike faith, forgiveness, and strength in weakness, this beloved hymn reassures believers of Jesus’ unchanging love, as affirmed by Scripture.
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.
CHORUS
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 gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in.
VERSE 3
Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, “Let them come to me.”
Story Behind the Hymn
In 1860, the novel Say and Seal by Susan Warner introduced a touching scene where a Sunday School teacher, Mr. Linden, comforts a dying child named Johnny Fax by reciting a poem beginning with “Jesus loves me, this I know.” [1]
This heartfelt moment was crafted by Susan’s sister, Anna Bartlett Warner, who penned the poem specifically for the story. The following year, composer William Batchelder Bradbury discovered the poem and was moved to set it to music, adding the now-familiar chorus, “Yes, Jesus loves me.” His composition transformed the simple poem into a beloved hymn, first published in his 1862 collection, The Golden Shower. [2]
The hymn’s enduring message of Jesus’ love has resonated across generations, making it a staple in Christian worship and children’s ministries worldwide. [3] Its origins as a comforting poem in a novel highlight the profound impact literature and music can have when intertwined with themes of faith and love.
The Unchanging Love of Jesus
“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so” affirms the foundational Christian belief in Christ’s love. Scripture supports this in Romans 5:8, which states, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The certainty of Jesus’ love is rooted in the authority of Scripture, as expressed in 2 Timothy 3:16.
“Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong” reflects Jesus’ care for His followers, especially the humble and dependent. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” This line also echoes 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God’s power is made perfect in weakness.
“Jesus loves me he who died, heaven’s gate to open wide” speaks of Christ’s atonement and salvation. John 14:6 confirms that Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life,” and Ephesians 1:7 declares, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
The song aligns with biblical doctrine, emphasizing Christ’s love, sacrifice, and salvation. It presents a clear, gospel-centered message without theological errors.
Relevant Bible Verses about Jesus Loves Me Worship Hymn
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NASB
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NASB
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
“But Jesus said, ‘Leave the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” Matthew 19:14 NASB
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 NASB
Jesus Loves Me lyrics and music by Anna Bartlett Warner (1859), Public Domain