The Collingsworth Family - My Jesus I Love Thee Lyrics
Lyrics
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.
I love Thee because Thou hast 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.
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.
My Jesus,'tis now.
Video
The Collingsworth Family - My Jesus, I Love Thee
Meaning & Inspiration
On February 9, 2022, The Collingsworth Family offered a profound musical statement with their rendition of the beloved hymn, "My Jesus, I Love Thee." This particular release isn't merely a new song; it's a re-imagining of a deeply cherished declaration of faith, originally penned by William R. Featherston in 1864. The hymn emerged from the heart of a young man, a testament to his burgeoning spiritual devotion and an earnest commitment to Christ. The Collingsworth Family's performance breathes fresh life into these timeless words, presenting them not as a relic of the past, but as a vibrant, living affirmation relevant to believers today, centering on a personal, unyielding love for Jesus Christ.
The essence of "My Jesus, I Love Thee" lies in its direct, unadorned expression of love and commitment to the Divine. It opens with the intimate address, "My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine," immediately establishing a personal covenant and belonging, echoing the profound truth found in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." This relationship then compels a radical redirection of life, as the singer proclaims, "For Thee all the follies of sin I resign." This isn't a casual dismissal but a deliberate surrendering, a turning away from worldly entanglements, aligning with Paul's call in Romans 6:11 to "consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." The declaration that Jesus is "My gracious Redeemer, my Savior" underscores His central role in salvation, a concept beautifully articulated in Ephesians 1:7 where we learn that "in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." The repeated line, "If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now," serves as a powerful anchor, emphasizing the present, active, and unwavering nature of this devotion.
The song then delves into the foundational reason for this profound affection: God's initiatory love. "I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me," directly quoting 1 John 4:19, which states, "We love because he first loved us." This divine love isn't abstract; it's tangible and costly. The lyrics remind us that Jesus "purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree," a direct reference to the atoning sacrifice on the cross. This profound act of redemption, where He bore the weight of human transgression, is the cornerstone of Christian faith, as vividly described in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The specific mention of "wearing the thorns on Thy brow" brings a visceral image of Christ's suffering and humiliation (Matthew 27:29), deepening the understanding of His selfless sacrifice and the immeasurable cost of our salvation.
The hymn culminates in a vision of eternal hope and unending worship. "In mansions of glory and endless delight, I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright" paints a vivid picture of the believer's ultimate destiny with Christ, fulfilling Jesus' promise in John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you." The anticipation of singing "with the glittering crown on my brow" speaks not of personal glory, but of the believer's participation in Christ's triumph and the reward of faithfulness, as promised in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown." The Collingsworth Family’s rendition elevates these timeless truths through their rich vocal arrangements and sincere delivery, making the message resonate with a deep sense of reverence and joy. Their voices blend to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and majestic, drawing the listener into a shared moment of worship and reaffirmation. This version serves as a moving invitation for all to reflect on their own declaration of love for Jesus, anchoring it in the enduring truths of Scripture and the promise of eternal communion.