Here is a simple but ambitious song — simple in its idea, form and repetition and ambitious in selecting, and then fitting so many wonderful “words of Jesus” in to such a tight space. At first look, I wondered if the song could really work. After spending time with it, I can say the song works for me. I hope it will for you, too. Please give it a sing-along listen, then come back for a look at the song notes.
“Bible lessons and songs for kids of all ages”
“Bible lessons and songs for kids of all ages” is the tagline for this song website. I make the claim on the home page that this is a collection of “SING-ALONG songs … good songs we can learn to sing at any age and cherish for a lifetime.”
Just for the record, there is a lot of music out there — including a lot of songs — that I love, that mean a lot to me, that carry good memories, that are beautiful, or clever or evocative, or likeable from a dozen angles — that won’t find a home here.
Songs that DO find a home here often lack many of the qualities I just listed. Songs that DO find a home here can be sung by a group, can be accompanied without a lot of gear — and can be used as conversation starters to talk about the Lord. Every song we look at can be learned and sung “at any age” … and might — just might — end up being cherished for a lifetime, largely because they can help connect us in sometimes surprising ways to the Lord.
In some ways, as far as “art” goes, our song is about as lovely as a kitchen sink sponge. We might not find either the sponge or song in halls of great art, but where and when we need what each offers, we love and appreciate their utility. I don’t mean to compare this song to a sponge. After all, I doubt anyone will be visualizing a sponge for the rest of the day. But someone just might have this song running through their minds, and that would not be a bad thing. I rest my case.
Keeping an eye on context
The Bible scholars among us might challenge this song for taking quotes “out of context”. The concern would be that a person might hear — without context — only the excerpt in the song lyric and so misapply the truth it is meant to convey. This song — every song — everything — is included in the “all things” of I Thessalonians 5:21: “but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” Our song invites study and exploration. Questions might include:
1. Would the context change anything about how we should understand words in this song?
2. Is there a theme that strings these “words of Jesus” together?
3. Who might use a song like this? How? For what?
Here are some reference verses to go along with the song’s verses.
VERSE 1: Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
VERSE 2: John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 9:5: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
VERSE 3: Mark 10:21
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
VERSE 4: Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
VERSE 5: John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
VERSE 6: There is no need to sue the song writers for including verse 6 in this song about “Words Of Jesus”, even though the direct quote “Look unto me and be saved” is not from Jesus, but rather from God the Father through the prophet Isaiah. We find it in: Isaiah 45:22 (KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
While Jesus did not say this exact phrase, the concept of looking to him for salvation is a central theme of his teachings. For example, he said:
John 3:14-15: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 6:40: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 11:25-26: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
VERSE 7: Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
VERSE 8: Matthew 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
VERSE 9: John 14:18
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
VERSE 10: John 7:37
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
The song mentions “water of life”. Jesus referred to “the water of life,” or more specifically, “living water” in the conversation with the woman at the well (John 4:10-14). “Living water” is considered a metaphor for salvation and eternal life.
VERSE 11: Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
VERSE 12: John 14:2
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Satisfaction guaranteed or the next song is free
We just roared through a lot of verses — all because we care, and all because about a century and a half ago these song writers collaborated to fit all of these ideas together on one page and get them into a hymn book. The art these writers wrought is praiseworthy. I’m thankful and blessed today that their craft, preserved all these years on paper, got us thinking, talking — and singing words of Jesus.
God bless you lots
-Dale R.
LYRICS: Words of Jesus
Text: Eliza E. Hewitt
Tune: William James Kirkpatrick (1888)
Matthew 11:28
1. Come unto me, the Savior said,
Come unto me, the Savior said;
Come unto me, the Savior said,
And I will give you rest.
Chorus:
Oh, the blessed words of Jesus!
Precious words! hallowed words!
Oh, the blessed words of Jesus!
Words of life to me.
John 14:6
2. I am the way, the truth, the life,
I am the way, the truth, the life;
I am the way, the truth, the life,
I am the light of the world.
Mark 10:21
3. Take up the cross, and follow me,
Take up the cross, and follow me;
Take up the cross, and follow me,
And you shall have treasure in heaven. [Chorus]
Matthew 7:7
4. Ask and it shall be given you,
Ask and it shall be given you;
Ask and it shall be given you,
Seek and you shall find. [Chorus]
John 3:36
5. He that believes on the Son,
He that believes on the Son,
He that believes on the Son,
Has everlasting life. [Chorus]
Isaiah 45:22
6. Look unto me, and be saved,
Look unto me, and be saved,
Look unto me, and be saved,
All the ends of the earth.
Matthew 5:8
7. Blessed are the pure in heart,
Blessed are the pure in heart,
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:12
8. Rejoice and be exceeding glad,
Rejoice and be exceeding glad,
Rejoice and be exceeding glad,
For great is your reward in heaven.
John 14:18
9. I will not leave you comfortless,
I will not leave you comfortless,
I will not leave you comfortless,
I will come unto you.
John 7:37
10. If any man thirst let him come unto me,
If any man thirst let him come unto me,
If any man thirst let him come unto me,
And drink of the water of life.
Mark 10:14
11. Suffer little children to come unto me,
Suffer little children to come unto me,
Suffer little children to come unto me,
For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
John 14:2
12. I go to prepare a place for you,
I go to prepare a place for you,
I go to prepare a place for you,
In my Fathers’ house
Say hello … leave a note
Please feel free to add your thoughts to this conversation. Scroll to the bottom of the page and jot your note in the “comments” box just below the “Leave a reply” title. Easy!