My Jesus, I Love Thee

“My Jesus, I Love Thee” is a deeply personal and reverent hymn of devotion to Christ, expressing the heartfelt love of a believer who has been redeemed by the Savior’s sacrifice. The words were penned by William Ralph Featherston, a young Canadian who is believed to have written this poem at the tender age of 16. Though little is known about Featherston’s life, the spiritual depth and sincerity of his hymn have made it one of the most cherished expressions of love for Christ in Christian hymnody.

The hymn opens with a bold declaration: “My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine,” affirming the believer’s personal relationship with Christ. It continues with a humble acknowledgment of salvation: “For Thee all the follies of sin I resign,” showing a complete surrender of worldly pursuits for the sake of Jesus. The lines that follow describe a love that is grounded not in mere emotion but in the profound gratitude for Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

The second stanza draws attention to Christ’s redemptive suffering: “I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me, and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.” These words closely echo the message of 1 John 4:19 and Romans 5:8, celebrating the sacrificial love of Christ that enables believers to love Him in return. Featherston’s language is intimate and worshipful, flowing with the simplicity and sincerity of youthful devotion, yet also rich in doctrinal truth.

The hymn then turns from past redemption to present faith: “I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,” declaring that no matter the circumstances, the believer’s love for Jesus will endure. This unwavering devotion finds its climax in the final stanza, which lifts the singer’s eyes to eternity: “In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright.” It is a promise of eternal praise to the One who gave His life for us.

The melody most associated with this hymn was composed in 1876 by Adoniram Judson Gordon, a Baptist pastor, composer, and the founder of Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Gordon’s tune perfectly complements the text with a quiet reverence and gentle progression that helps the singer meditate on each line.

Though William Featherston died at the young age of 27, his hymn has lived on in countless hymnals and worship services around the world. The hymn’s enduring legacy lies in its pure and unaffected language, its clear focus on the love of Christ, and its ability to stir the hearts of believers in both sorrow and joy.

“My Jesus, I Love Thee” remains a timeless confession of Christian love and loyalty. Whether sung in times of personal devotion, at the bedside of the dying, or in joyful worship, it reminds all believers that our highest affection belongs to Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).