Crystal Lewis - Oh How I Love Jesus Lyrics
Lyrics
There is a Name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ears,
The sweetest Name on earth.
Chorus
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me
It tells me of a Savior's love,
Who died to set me free;
It tells me of a Savior's blood,
The sinners' perfect plea.
Chorus
It tells me what my Father hath
In store for every day,
And though I tread a darksome path,
Yields sunshine all the way.
It tells of one whose loving heart
Can feel my deepest woe;
Who in each sorrow bears
A part that none can bear below.
Chorus
Jesus love me for the bible tells me so
little ones to him belong
they are weak but he is strong
there is a name I love to hear
I love to sing it's worth
sounds like music in my ear
the sweetest name on earth
Chorus
Video
O How I Love Jesus
Meaning & Inspiration
Crystal Lewis gifted us with a poignant rendition of the timeless hymn, "Oh How I Love Jesus," released on February 16, 2022. This particular release breathes new life into a cherished declaration of faith, inviting a fresh generation to engage with its profound truth. The song itself is a heartfelt testament to the Christian experience, centering on the reciprocal nature of divine and human affection, rooted in the foundational belief that God’s love precedes and enables our own. While many know the classic hymn penned by Frederick Whitfield in 1855, Lewis's take elevates its message, reaffirming its relevance in contemporary worship.
The spiritual core of "Oh How I Love Jesus" is a simple yet revolutionary truth: our love for Jesus is a direct response to His unconditional love for us. The opening lines, "There is a Name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; It sounds like music in my ears, The sweetest Name on earth," immediately establish a reverence for the name of Jesus. This reverence is not merely sentimental but theological, acknowledging the authority and beauty inherent in His name. Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God exalted Jesus, giving Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. This song celebrates that very name as the source of incomparable peace and joy, a melody for the soul that surpasses any earthly sound. It brings to mind Acts 4:12, which declares there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved.
The powerful chorus, "O how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me," serves as the anchor, drawing directly from 1 John 4:19, which explicitly states, "We love because He first loved us." This isn't a transactional love, but a responsive one, a natural overflow of gratitude and adoration for a love so immense it initiated salvation itself. Romans 5:8 beautifully articulates this divine initiative: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This central declaration underpins every other aspect of the song's message, reminding us that our affection is a mirror reflecting a greater, primary love.
The narrative continues to unfold, describing a Savior’s love "Who died to set me free." This speaks directly to the redemptive work of Christ on the cross, His sacrifice providing liberation from sin's bondage. The lyric "It tells me of a Savior's blood, The sinners' perfect plea" powerfully references the atoning blood of Jesus, which cleanses and justifies. Ephesians 1:7 confirms this, saying, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." This perfect plea isn't something we earn; it's a gift offered through His sacrifice, ensuring reconciliation with God, as illuminated in Colossians 1:13-14, where we are transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The song then shifts focus to God's daily provision and unwavering presence, declaring, "It tells me what my Father hath In store for every day, And though I tread a darksome path, Yields sunshine all the way." This offers immense comfort, assuring the heart that even in life's most challenging seasons, divine care is constant. It echoes Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Even when walking "through the darkest valley," as Psalm 23:4 states, the presence of the Shepherd brings solace, transforming darkness into an experience of light and guidance. This perspective transforms potential despair into enduring hope, recognizing God's sovereign hand in every circumstance.
Further exploring Christ's compassionate nature, the lyrics muse, "It tells of one whose loving heart Can feel my deepest woe; Who in each sorrow bears A part that none can bear below." This speaks to the profound empathy of Jesus, who, as Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, is "one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." He truly understands human suffering, not from a distance, but from personal experience. This understanding provides an unparalleled comfort, knowing that our pains are not dismissed but shared by a divine companion. Matthew 11:28 invites us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," highlighting Christ's tender invitation to cast our burdens upon Him, as 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us.
Crystal Lewis's interpretation thoughtfully incorporates lines reminiscent of "Jesus Loves Me," asserting, "Jesus love me for the bible tells me so, little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong." This beautiful addition reinforces the simple, child-like faith that is central to the Christian walk. It grounds the profound theological truths in an accessible, undeniable affirmation, reminding us that the strength of our faith does not rest in our own power, but in the enduring, unwavering strength of Christ. This childlike trust is precious to God, as Jesus Himself said in Matthew 18:3, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." The song concludes by reiterating the initial sentiment about the sweetness of His name, bringing the message full circle to the beautiful truth of His identity and its overwhelming impact on our lives. This rendition serves as a powerful reminder that the love of Jesus is the most profound reality, deserving of our utmost adoration and trust, inspiring us daily because He initiated it all.