Meredith Andrews - My Jesus I Love Thee (With Every Breath) Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
My Jesus I love Thee
I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies
Of sin I resign
My gracious Redeemer
My Savior art Thou
If ever I loved Thee
My Jesus 'tis now
Verse 2
I love Thee because Thou
Has first loved me
And purchased my pardon
On Calvary's tree
I love Thee for wearing
The thorns on Thy brow
If ever I loved Thee
My Jesus 'tis now
Chorus
I love You in life
I love You in death
With every beat of my heart
With every breath
I love You in life
I love You in death
With every beat of my heart
With every breath
Verse 3
In mansions of glory
And endless delight
I'll ever adore Thee
In heaven so bright
I'll sing with the glittering
Crown on my brow
If ever I loved Thee
My Jesus 'tis now
Chorus
I love You in life
I love You in death
With every beat of my heart
With every breath
I love You in life
I love You in death
With every beat of my heart
With every breath
Tag
With every beat of my heart
With every breath
Video
My Jesus I Love Thee (With Every Breath) - Meredith Andrews Sooter | Worship Circle Hymns
Meaning & Inspiration
On September 20, 2019, Meredith Andrews released "My Jesus I Love Thee (With Every Breath)," a profoundly moving contemporary rendition of William R. Featherston’s cherished 19th-century hymn. This musical offering transcends generations, seamlessly weaving the rich, time-honored declarations of the original with a vibrant, modern chorus that anchors the ancient truth in a deeply personal and present commitment. The core message resonates with an unwavering love for Jesus, born from an understanding of His sacrifice and an anticipation of eternal communion, making it a powerful testament to faith for today's worshiper.
The song’s foundational verses eloquently articulate a believer's dedication, beginning with the intimate declaration, "My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine." This line reflects the profound assurance found in passages like John 14:23, where Jesus promises His presence to those who love Him, establishing a personal and possessive relationship with the Divine. The subsequent commitment to "resign" the "follies of sin" for Him echoes the call to repentance and sanctification, mirroring Romans 6:6 where our old selves are crucified with Christ, freeing us from sin's dominion. Acknowledging Jesus as "My gracious Redeemer, My Savior art Thou," the lyrics align with Titus 2:13-14, which celebrates Christ's redeeming act to purify a people for Himself. The concluding line of each verse, "If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus 'tis now," powerfully emphasizes a living, breathing, and present affection, refusing to relegate devotion to a past emotion but affirming it in the present moment.
The second verse delves into the *reason* for this profound love, grounding it in divine initiation: "I love Thee because Thou Has first loved me." This powerful truth is the bedrock of Christian love, directly referencing 1 John 4:19, which states, "We love because he first loved us." The lyrics then turn to the sacrificial act, recalling how Christ "purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree." This speaks directly to the atoning work of Jesus, as described in Colossians 1:13-14, where through Him we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. The vivid imagery of "wearing the thorns on Thy brow" brings the listener to the foot of the cross, reminding us of Christ's suffering and humiliation for humanity, as depicted in Matthew 27:29. Each remembrance solidifies the depth of gratitude that fuels a reciprocal love.
The contemporary chorus, "I love You in life, I love You in death, With every beat of my heart, With every breath," serves as the song's pulsating heart. This addition transforms a timeless hymn into a full-bodied vow of allegiance that spans all existence. It's a testament to complete surrender, aligning with Romans 14:8: "For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s." This commitment encompasses every moment, every physical function, signifying total devotion that permeates mind, body, and spirit, echoing the command in Mark 12:30 to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Finally, the third verse casts the believer's gaze toward eternity, painting a picture of future glory and unending adoration: "In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright." This promise of an eternal home is rooted in John 14:2, where Jesus assures His followers of many rooms in His Father's house. The image of singing with a "glittering Crown on my brow" is not one of self-exaltation, but rather a reference to the crowns of righteousness and glory promised to believers (1 Peter 5:4), which are ultimately cast down before the throne in worship, as seen in Revelation 4:10. This verse beautifully wraps the song in a hopeful anticipation of continuous, eternal worship, underscoring that the love declared "now" will only intensify and find its ultimate fulfillment in God's glorious presence. Through its thoughtful blend of revered tradition and fresh expression, Meredith Andrews' "My Jesus I Love Thee (With Every Breath)" stands as a powerful invitation to deeper devotion and an inspiring affirmation of enduring faith, encouraging every soul to proclaim their love for Christ with every beat and every breath.