Jesus Loves Me This I Know - story behind the hymn

A classic children's hymn, written as part of a novel in a scene with a dying child. The woman who wrote it is deeply respected by the American military.

01:09 History
04:26 Lyrics
09:19 Performance

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, the Bible tells me so.

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. [Refrain]

3 Jesus loves me, loves me still,
When I’m very weak and ill;
From His shining throne on high,
Comes to watch me where I lie. [Refrain]

4 Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
If I love Him, when I die
He will take me home on high. [Refrain]

[annmnm-sycq]

I talked to a hospice preacher once who said even his patients who had memory problems could remember this song.

[johnhouchins]

I am nearly 70 years old. When times get tough this little hymn still comes to me and gives me comfort. I plan to have this sung at my funeral. Yes, Jesus loves me. And you too.

[jeanniegarcia]

I am 61 and I still sing it now when times feel hard. It reminds me I am not alone! Praising God!!!

[larrygarner]

Takes me back 70 years to a small rural church where I first learned of God's love.

[annetteolson]

My father had alzheimer's and died at 95 years old. He was in a wheel chair and was known for singing this song as he wheeled around. What a precious song! And so true.

[sheryladeutschmann]

My sister told me that she was once in such a dark place she tried to take her own life - but at that moment the words of the first verse came to her which she had sung in Sunday school and she knew it was wrong to attempt to end her life. Jesus is so faithful!
It took some time, but she eventually became a follower of Jesus.

[ElizabethHensleyomegasseekerr]

Jesus loves me. This I know.
Cause the Bible tells me so,
Even though I'm old and slow
And my hair is white as snow.

Jesus loves me though I'm old
He has shown me things untold.
Jesus has a place for me
In His arms I'll always be
And soon He's coming back for me.

[maxievandeventer]

I remember singing this song as a child....and now I am 77 and when I feel very lonely I sing this song.

[Stewardess]

I sang this song to my older sister that died of dementia. It made her smile when I would sing it. It was one of the only church songs that I knew all the words by heart. ❤️✝️

[kimberlypride]

I sang this as a lullaby to all six of my children and my grandchildren as well. But I sang JESUS loves YOU to them as they fell asleep. It blessed babies and Mama as well!

[PaulPetersen]

Jesus became my savior very simple but profound!

[lindajc]

Jesus Loves Me - this song means more to me now as an adult than it did when I was a child. I have more understanding now of God's Love than I did when I was young.

[paulkitson]

Interesting how Our Father works. I was feeling quite down this morning, and left church to go for a walk. And, for the first time in many years, this song came to me, and I sang it back to God. And now, I turn YouTube on….and guess what God dishes up to me. “Jesus Loves me This I Know…” Our Father is so amazing, and so personal. This is not a coincidence, but my Father embracing me and reminding that he and His Son, Jesus, truly loves me. Just when i badly needed to hear it. Twice.

[damariskamau]

My mother sang it for me in 1950s. I sang it for my own children. They sang for my grandchildren and I still sing it for my grandchildren...
Jesus bids us shine as well...

[Hoppieg]

This song saved me when I was little, Jesus has shown me this saved me when I was little. ❤

[carrikartes]

When I was 4 years old I was skipping in the sunshine (after Sunday school) and singing "Jesus Loves me".
And I was filled with this overwhelming love. If there had been one more drop of love I would burst.
I knew that was Jesus and the love of God.
It was beyond what I can express.
I have held onto that my whole life. It has gotten me through very very dark days.
God did that for me.
God is good.

[bethleonard]

I learned this song from my parents who were missionaries in Burma in the 1950’s and 60’s and where I was born. My sisters and I also learned Jesus Loves Me in Burmese. We all sang it in Burmese at our father’s funeral several years ago.

[WaiferThyme]

I lost my Mum to cancer last year. One day, a few days before she passed, i was sitting in her hospital room with her and she kept gazing at the corner of the room above my head and smiling the sweetest smile. I asked her - Mum what are you looking at? She smiled at me and said - Dont you see Him? He is right there! Those were her last words to me before she whispered I love you for the last time. Dont you see Him? He is right there! I know, in my heart, Jesus was there in that room with us to take her home.

[dottecklenburg]

Oh, for the innocence of an uncomplicated child like faith. May I always be at the positional stance at the feet of Jesus, my Lord, and Saviour ♡

[annaprobert]

I am now almost 91 years old I learned this song as a child in Sunday School but now it holds even more meaning and comfort thank you for what you shared