Alan Jackson

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O How I Love Jesus

Alan Jackson

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
There is a name I love to hear
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear
The sweetest name on earth

[Chorus]
Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me!

[Verse 2]
It tells me of a Saviour's love
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of His precious blood
The sinner's perfect plea

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
It tells of One whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe
Who in each sorrow bears a part
That none can bear below
[x2]

Alan Jackson's "O How I Love Jesus" is a beautiful and heartfelt hymn that has been enjoyed by Christian congregations for over 150 years. The song includes a combination of a 19th-century English text with an American tune, which provides a lilting melody that makes it a favorite among the repertoire of hymns that focus on the name of Jesus.

About O How I Love Jesus

The power of Jesus' name is a significant theme in many biblical sources, but it is most important in the kenosis (self-emptying) hymn found in Philippians 2:5-11, which is the inspiration behind the hymn. The hymn begins with verse five, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus," and concludes with verses 10-11, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." These powerful verses explain the significance behind the name of Jesus, and why it is so important for Christians.

Other hymns that follow this theme include "Jesus! the name high over all" by Charles Wesley, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! There's just something about that name" by Gloria and William Gaither, and "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow" by Caroline Noel. Another hymn that emphasizes the power of Jesus' name is "O for a thousand tongues to sing" by Charles Wesley, which includes stanza three, "Jesus! the name that charms our fears…."

Originally titled "The name of Jesus," the hymn was first printed in 1855 as hymn-sheets and leaflets. The song was later included in Sacred Poems and Prose in 1861, a collection by its author, Frederick Whitfield. The earliest appearance of this hymn can be traced back to Goodman's Village Hymn Book in 1864.

The famous evangelist Dwight Moody used a different tune for the song in his Gospel Hymns in 1896. The tune we know today is traced back to the 1869 edition of The Revivalist by Baptist hymnologist Harry Eskew. The author, Frederick Whitfield, was born in 1829 in Shropshire, England, and was ordained in the Church of England. He wrote around 30 volumes of poetry and prose, and his appointment in 1875 to St. Mary's Church in Hastings signaled the pinnacle of his career.

The refrain, "O how I love Jesus," was not part of the original hymn. During the 19th century, the technique of adding refrains to revival songs was common. In many cases, these refrains were associated with other texts. To understand how a traveling refrain could be attached to several "mother hymns," you can try singing the melody of the stanza to the texts of "Amazing grace! how sweet the sound," by John Newton and "Alas! and did my Savior bleed," by Isaac Watts, and then add the refrain.

The song consists of three stanzas, each one emphasizing the importance of Jesus' name. In stanza one, the author focuses on the sound of Jesus' name, which "sounds like music in my ear," while stanza two focuses on the meaning of Jesus' name as "a Savior's love" who died for our sins. Finally, stanza three personalizes the name of Jesus who "feels our deepest woe."

Alan Jackson's rendition of "O How I Love Jesus" is just one example of how this beautiful hymn can be performed. The song's heartfelt lyrics and lilting melody make it a favorite among Christian congregations, and its powerful message about the significance of Jesus' name continues to resonate with people today.

In the end, "O How I Love Jesus" is a simple yet poignant hymn that emphasizes the power and love of Jesus Christ. Its timeless message and beautiful melody make it a classic that will continue to touch the hearts of people for generations to come.