Jesus Loves Me

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)