JESUS CHRIST >> LOVE OF CHRIST FOR US
SDAH 183
I will sing of Jesus love,
Sing of Him,who first loved me;
for He left bright worlds above,
And died on Calvary.
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: I Will Sing of Jesus’ Love
A beloved Adventist hymn, Franklin Belden’s text reflects Psalm 59:16 and Ephesians 1:7, proclaiming the joy of salvation through Jesus’ love. The repetition of “such love” throughout underscores our awe at the grace we’ve received. Belden’s tune is simple yet sincere—easy to sing and rich in devotion. Let this hymn renew our gratitude and move us to say with conviction, “My heart shall give Him praise.”
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
What was the price for our salvation? Christ bought it with the precious blood of Jesus. Such kind of love is sufficient to save from sin. Let us all give thanks and sing praises about God’s love for each one of us. (Lesson 11, 1st Quarter 2021 -Sunday, Buy Something Free, 3/7/2021)
In this hymn Franklin Edson Belden (1858–1945; see Biographies) has caught the spirit of the psalmist, who wrote: “I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy” (Ps. 59:16). This verse and Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,” constitute the heading of the hymn in Hymns and Tunes, 1886.
In Hymns and Tunes, and also in Christ in Song, the last line of the last stanza has the words my love printed in italics to emphasize the contrast with God’s “such love” in line 2.
The tune, unnamed, is also by Franklin Belden. It is a typical gospel song with a pleasant melody, but the harmony is based almost exclusively on two chords, with a few passing notes.
Stanza:
1 – Psalm 9:2
1 John 4:19
3 – Ephesians 3:18, 19
Isaiah 1:18
R – Psalm 59:16
Text
1
I will sing of Jesus love,
Sing of Him, who first loved me;
For He left bright worlds above,
And died on Calvary.
Refrain
I will sing of Jesus love
Endless praise my heart shall give;
He has died that I might live
I will sing His love to me.
2
O the depths of love divine!
Earth or heaven can never know
How that sins as dark as mine
Can be made as white as snow.
3
Nothing good for Him I’ve done;
How could He such love bestow?
Lord, I own my heart is won,
Help me now my love to show.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Ps 9:2; I John 4:19 (c) Eph 3:18, 19; Isa 1:18 (r) Ps 59:16
Author
Franklin E. Belden (1858-1945)
Year Published
1886
Copyright
Words copyright 1975 by Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Metrical Number
7.7.7.7.Ref.
Composer
F.E. Belden
Tune Source
1886
