Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me, this I know

The hymn exemplifies Lutheran teaching on justification by faith and God's freely given grace, emphasizing the assurance that comes from Christ's love rather than human works. It communicates the Gospel in simple, memorable form appropriate for all ages, reflecting Luther's commitment to accessible religious instruction.

History & Background

Written by Anna Bartlett Warner as part of the novel 'Say and Seal' (1860), the hymn gained widespread popularity through Sunday schools and children's ministries. It became one of the most recognized Christian hymns in English-speaking Protestant traditions.

Anna B. Warner (b. Long Island, NY, 1827; d. Constitution Scripture References Island, near West Point, NY, 1915) wrote this beloved children’s st. 1 = Eph. 5:2 hymn text in 1859. It was published in Say and Seal (1860), a Jen 31:3 novel Warner wrote in collaboration with her sister Susan, st. 2 = Gal. 2:20 author of another popular children’s hymn, ‘Jesus Bids Us st. 3 = Matt. 18:2-4 Shine.” In this now-forgotten novel a dying boy, Johnny Fax, is Matt. 19:13-15 comforted by his church school teacher, who sings to him the Mark 10:13-16 four original stanzas of this hymn. Warner and her sister Susan Luke 18:15-17 wrote popular novels under the pen names Amy Lothrop and Elizabeth Wetherell. They also taught Bible classes for the cadets at West Point, who were ferried to the Warner home on Constitution Island. After she died, Warner was buried with military honors at West Point in honor of this service. She wrote devotional poetry and compiled two collections: Hymns of the Church Militant (1858) and Wayfaring Hymns, Original and Translated (1869). Both Anna and Susan Warner’s writings are marked by what some judge to be “undistinguished religious sentimentality.” But those who are critical of the text’s simplicity may do well to remember what the great theologian Karl Barth once said when asked about his most profound theological discovery: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. The text has been translated into many other languages. Our version includes the original stanzas 1 and 2 and adds a stanza derived from David R. McGuire’s rewriting of the text, which he prepared for the Canadian Anglican and United Hymn Book (1971). McGuire (b. St. Catherines, ON, Canada, 1929; d. Richmond Hill, ON, Canada, 1971) was educated at University College and Wycliffe College, both at the University of Toronto. Ordained in the Anglican Church, he served four congregations in Ontario, including Church of Christ the King in Etobicoke, Toronto (1959-1969). McGuire was strongly interested in hymnody and was on the committee that produced The Hymn Book (1971), published by two Canadian denominations—the Anglican Church and the United Church. He also edited a collection of contemporary folk hymns, Sing I (1972). 746 WALK WITH GOD ‘Jesus Loves Me” weaves together some of the most basic truths of the childlike Christian’s experience with the Lord: Jesus loves me Jesus saves me, andjesus invites me to come to him. The refrain simply emphasizes that we know Jesus’ lo

Hymnal Appearances

  • Baptist Hymnal — 350
  • Chalice Hymnal — 113
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 595
  • Glory to God — 188
  • Lutheran Service Book — 588
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 708
  • Lutheran Worship — 385
  • New Century Hymnal — 327
  • Psalter Hymnal — 571
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 598
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 191
  • Voices Together — 575
  • With One Voice — 667

Liturgical Use

A fine children’s hymn of testimony to Jesus’ love but also appropriate for children of God of all ages.

Bulletin Note

Written in 1860 by Anna Bartlett Warner, this hymn distills the Lutheran doctrine of justification by faith into unforgettable verse. Its simplicity masks profound theology: love precedes worthiness.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the liberating heart of the Gospel by declaring Christ's love as an unconditional gift rather than a reward for human striving, making it a perfect congregational echo of proclamation that frees us from the burden of the Law.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: human righteousness exposed as insufficient (stanzas 1-2), Christ's alien righteousness imputed and clothing the believer (stanzas 3-4), concluding in faith-alone boasting

Themes

God's love Assurance of faith Childlike trust Gospel comfort

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