Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling: An Inspiring Hymn of Redemption
The hymn "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" is one of the most popular and beloved hymns of all time. The hymn was written by Will Lamartine Thompson, who was an American composer, teacher, and publisher. It was first published in 1880 and has been a favorite of Christians around the world ever since.
Inspiration and Story Behind the Hymn
The inspiration for the hymn came to Thompson during a revival meeting in his hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio. The evangelist leading the meeting would often use the phrase "softly and tenderly" when calling sinners to come to Christ. The phrase stuck with Thompson and he began to develop a melody around it.
Thompson was a prolific songwriter and had already written several hymns before he penned "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling." However, he believed that this hymn was his best work and it became his most popular hymn.
The hymn's story is simple yet powerful. It is a call to sinners to come to Christ and find redemption. The lyrics are a gentle and loving invitation to all who are lost and searching for meaning in life. The hymn reminds us that Jesus is always waiting with open arms for those who will turn to Him in repentance and faith.
Softly and Tenderly Lyrics
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
Meaning of the Lyrics
The lyrics of "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" are a beautiful and poignant reminder of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. The hymn invites all who are lost and in need of salvation to come to Jesus and find rest for their souls.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the hymn. Jesus is calling to us, waiting and watching for us to come to Him. The refrain echoes this invitation, urging the weary and burdened to come home to Jesus.
The second stanza asks a powerful question. Why do we tarry when Jesus is pleading with us to come to Him? The hymn reminds us that we should not linger or delay in responding to the call of Christ. His mercies are waiting for us, but we must take action and come to Him.
The third stanza is a sobering reminder of the brevity of life. Time is fleeting, and death is coming for us all. The hymn urges us to respond to the call of Christ before it is too late.
The final stanza is a beautiful declaration of God's love and mercy. Though we have sinned, Jesus offers us forgiveness and pardon. The hymn reminds us that no matter what we have done, Jesus is always waiting for us with open arms.
Bible Verses References in the Hymn
The hymn "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" is based on several Bible verses that speak to the love and mercy of God. Here are a few examples:
- Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
- Hebrews 3:15 - "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
- 2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Practical Application of the Hymn
The hymn "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" has a practical application for Christian living. It reminds us that we need to be constantly aware of the call of Christ in our lives. We should not delay in responding to His call, but should come to Him with repentance and faith.
The hymn also reminds us of the importance of sharing the love and mercy of Christ with others. We should be like the evangelist who inspired Thompson to write the hymn, using our words and actions to gently and lovingly call others to come to Christ.
In Conclusion
"Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" is a beautiful and inspiring hymn that speaks to the heart of Christian faith. Its lyrics remind us of the love and mercy of Christ and urge us to respond to His call with repentance and faith. The hymn has stood the test of time and has become a beloved classic in the Christian hymnal. May we always be mindful of the call of Christ in our lives and respond with hearts full of love and devotion.
