O! How I Love Jesus!

Born in Threapwood, England, in 1829, Frederick Whitfield spent many years as a pastor. But today he is best remembered for a poem he wrote in 1855 while he still was a student at Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland. The title summarized what was important in his life: “O, How I Love Jesus!”

In this poem, he wrote, “There is a Name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; it sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest Name on earth.” The name of Jesus reminded him of how much He loved Him, and how “He died to set me free.” His “precious blood” was “the sinner’s perfect plea.”

Thinking of Jesus reminded Whitfield of the smile of a father “beaming upon His child” and all that God has in store for us, every day. He knew that Jesus feels our “deepest woe” and takes away our burdens. He urges us to rejoice, even when our hearts might be “trembling.” He dries our tears and tells us, “in a ‘still small voice,’ to trust and never fear.”

Whitfield’s poem soon became a hymn sung throughout the world. Some people so identified with his message that they personalized this hymn with their own testimonies. One of the additions became the hymn’s refrain, simply repeating the phrase, “O how I love Jesus.” Why? “Because He first loved me!”

Stop right now and consider how much Jesus loves you. He died for your sins, and He rose again that you might have new life and spend eternity with Him. Don’t let the burdens of this world rob you of experiencing His peace and love. Rejoice in the name of Jesus!