Brenda Lee - Jesus Loves Me Lyrics
Lyrics
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, "Let them come to Me."
Refrain
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Refrain
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Refrain
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Refrain
Video
Jesus Loves Me (feat. Emmylou Harris)
Meaning & Inspiration
Brenda Lee’s rendition of the timeless hymn “Jesus Loves Me,” released on March 29, 2005, as part of her *Greatest Gospel Songs* album, delivers a profoundly simple yet powerful affirmation of faith. While the original hymn by Anna Bartlett Warner dates back to 1860, becoming a foundational piece of Christian teaching for generations, Lee’s interpretation breathes new life into its cherished message. Her voice carries an earnestness that transcends mere performance, serving as a conduit for the enduring truth that has comforted countless hearts worldwide. This particular recording centers not on complex musical arrangements but on the unvarnished clarity of its divine message, making it a pure expression of unwavering belief.
The enduring appeal of "Jesus Loves Me" lies in its direct proclamation, "Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so." This opening line establishes the very bedrock of Christian faith: God’s love is not a feeling to be conjured or a mystery to be solved, but a revealed truth, explicitly stated in Holy Scripture. It points to the Bible as the definitive source of our understanding of God’s character and His relentless affection for humanity, echoing Romans 10:17 which states that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ," and affirming the reliability of God’s inspired Word as highlighted in 2 Timothy 3:16. The hymn then gently reminds us of our position before God: "Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong." This verse beautifully articulates our human frailty and dependence, contrasting it with God's omnipotent strength and protective care, a sentiment mirrored in Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." It evokes the image of a shepherd caring for His flock, and Jesus's own invitation in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
The recurring refrain, "Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so," serves as a constant, reassuring anchor, reinforcing the central theme with simple, unshakeable conviction. It’s a meditative chant of certainty, deeply embedded in the spirit. The subsequent verses expand upon this love, beginning with a recollection of Christ’s earthly ministry: "As He loved so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, 'Let them come to Me.'" This paints a vivid picture of Jesus’s compassion and accessibility, drawing directly from accounts like Mark 10:13-16, where Jesus rebuked His disciples for preventing children from approaching Him, emphasizing His welcoming nature and the value He places on innocence and humility. This historical truth transitions seamlessly into the present reality: "Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give Light and love to all who live." This profound declaration speaks to the continuous, personal presence of Christ in daily life, aligning with His promise in Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always, to the end of the age," and His revelation in John 15:15, "No longer do I call you servants... but I have called you friends." It underscores His desire to illuminate our path and enrich our existence with divine love, a love described as the very "light of the world" in John 8:12.
The song then moves to the core of Christian redemption: "Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven's gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in." This stanza encapsulates the sacrificial love of Christ on the cross, making salvation possible. It powerfully connects God’s love to His ultimate act of self-giving, as articulated in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." It references the cleansing power of His sacrifice, which washes away sin, drawing on 1 John 1:7, "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin," and opens the way to God’s presence, as highlighted in Hebrews 10:19-20, where through Christ's blood, we have confidence to enter the most holy place. Finally, the hymn concludes with a testament to Christ's eternal faithfulness and the believer's committed response: "Jesus loves me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee." This verse assures us of Christ's unwavering companionship through life’s journey, a comforting promise from the one who bled and died for our salvation, inspiring a reciprocal commitment to live a life dedicated to Him. This reflects the transformation described in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me," and calls believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, as encouraged in Romans 12:1. Brenda Lee’s delivery, through its simple, unadorned reverence, allows these eternal truths to resonate deeply, encouraging reflection and drawing one closer to the source of such magnificent, enduring love.