Jesus Loves Me

By John R. Rice

Lyrics

1. Jesus is such a Saviour, Jesus is such a Friend,
Never forsakes nor leaves me, nor fails my needs to send.
Jesus who died to save me, Jesus who sought for me,
Now with His love surrounds me, oh, what a Friend is He!

Chorus
Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me,
He died, the crimson tide proves that He loves me,
That Jesus loves me; so sing it again,
That Jesus loves me.

2. Now in His love I glory, rest and rejoice in Him,
Blood-bought and dear to Jesus, my joy is full within.
Nothing then, I am persuaded, can take me from His hand,
Nor height nor depth nor powers, Satan, nor self, nor man.

3. Why should you slight the Saviour? Why turn from Him away?
Where will you find forgiveness, loving care, night and day?
Nobody else could save you, nobody else could pay
Sin’s debt for poor lost sinners, He would be yours today.

4. What can I do for Jesus? How may I Him repay?
Oh, to tell all the story of His salvation’s way.
Never a theme for singing, never a truth for praise
As Jesus’ love for sinners, I’ll sing it all my days.

Bible Reference

Romans 5:8

About This Hymn

John R. Rice’s hymn “Jesus Loves Me” is a warm and deeply personal testimony of Christ’s love for the believer. Unlike the more widely known children’s chorus of the same name, Rice’s composition moves beyond the simplicity of a child’s faith to a mature believer’s joy, security, and responsibility in Christ. It begins with a confession of Jesus as a Savior and Friend who never forsakes or fails to meet the needs of His people. The chorus proclaims the certainty of His love, validated by the shedding of His blood.

The second verse emphasizes the believer’s rejoicing in Christ’s love, declaring that nothing, neither spiritual powers, human opposition, nor personal failure—can separate the Christian from Him. The third verse serves as an invitation to the lost, warning against rejecting the Savior and pointing to Christ as the only one able to save and forgive. The final verse turns to the theme of gratitude, asking how the believer might repay such love, with the answer being a lifetime spent telling the story of salvation.

This hymn is rich in Scripture truths, echoing passages such as Romans 8:38-39 on the inseparability from Christ’s love, and Acts 4:12 on His exclusivity as Savior. It blends doctrinal solidity with heartfelt devotion, making it fitting for both congregational singing and personal worship. Above all, it centers the believer’s focus on Christ’s redeeming love as the greatest theme worthy of endless praise.

1989 (included in Soul-Stirring Songs and Hymns Revised Edition)