Jesus I come (Out of my Bondage)

By William T. Sleeper

Lyrics

1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
out of my want and into Thy wealth,
out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

2. Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth's sorrows into Thy balm,
out of life's storms and into Thy calm,
out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

3. Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
out of despair into raptures above,
upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

4. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Bible Reference

John 6:37

About This Hymn

“Jesus, I Come” is a tender and heartfelt hymn of invitation and surrender, written by William T. Sleeper and set to music by George C. Stebbins. Penned in 1887, this hymn is a rich expression of the sinner’s response to the call of Christ. It speaks of the soul leaving behind the darkness and bondage of sin to enter into the freedom, light, and joy that only Jesus provides. Each verse begins with the repetition of the phrase “Out of…” followed by the powerful, simple declaration: “Jesus, I come to Thee.”

The hymn was written during a time in America when revivalism and personal salvation were emphasized. Sleeper, a Congregational minister in Massachusetts, contributed many hymns and poems, but “Jesus, I Come” became his most enduring work. It captures the essence of the Gospel invitation by portraying the dramatic transformation that takes place in the life of someone who turns to Christ. The opening line, “Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus, I come,” reflects the spiritual weariness of the lost soul, burdened by guilt and darkness. The chorus, repeated after each stanza, anchors the entire hymn with a personal and direct turning to Jesus.

The structure of the hymn moves from darkness to light, from unrest to peace, and from death to life. The second stanza speaks of moving “out of my sickness into Thy health,” symbolizing not just physical healing but the complete restoration of the soul. The imagery is biblical, echoing Christ’s healing ministry and His promise of rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28–30). The third stanza emphasizes victory over fear, pride, and despair. It offers assurance that Jesus delivers completely, replacing anxiety and defeat with joy and hope.

The final stanza is a triumphant call to rise from the limitations of this life into the fullness of God's eternal presence: “Out of the fear and dread of the tomb, Jesus, I come to Thee.” It expresses a longing for resurrection life and the ultimate union with Christ. The hymn leads the singer through a spiritual journey—from the struggle of sin and suffering to the peace and completeness found in Christ.

George C. Stebbins, a prominent composer in the revival movement, gave the hymn its melodic life. His tune matches the deep spiritual yearning of the lyrics with a gentle yet confident melody that rises naturally with the words “Jesus, I come to Thee.” The combination of text and tune made the hymn especially popular in evangelistic meetings and altar calls throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“Jesus, I Come” continues to be used in both traditional and modern worship settings. Its enduring appeal lies in its honest confession, clear Gospel message, and simple invitation to come just as you are to Jesus. For those overwhelmed by life’s burdens, struggling with personal sin, or longing for freedom and peace, this hymn is a timeless voice of hope that Jesus never turns away a repentant heart.