My Jesus, I Love Thee - Jimmy Needham

William Featherston wrote "My Jesus, I Love Thee" as a newly converted teenager. Jimmy Needham recently recorded the beloved hymn for Desiring God.

As I looked for a rendition of song to post, I found mostly overly sappy and sentimental ones. To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with walking slowly through a song, but emotionalism has no place in the church.

Then, this version caught my eye, or maybe my ear? It wouldn’t be appropriate in a worship service, I think, but regardless, I thought it was fun. I hope you enjoy, too.

For a brief story of how this hymn came to be, see Challies’ post about it here.

---

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

I'll love Thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath,
And say when the death dew lies cold on my 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