CHRISTIAN LIFE >> MEDITATION AND PRAYER
SDAH 485
I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.
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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 Must Tell Jesus
Written by prolific gospel songwriter Elisha A. Hoffman, this hymn was first published in Pentecostal Hymns (1894) after a church member, in the midst of counsel, exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus!” That heartfelt cry became the seed for a song urging believers to follow Psalm 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.” Hoffman—who also gave us “What a Wonderful Savior!” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”—paired these comforting words with a simple yet earnest melody (sometimes titled ORWIGSBURG, after his birthplace). The hymn remains a gentle call to bring every burden, temptation, and need directly to the Savior who hears and helps.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This gospel song was first printed in Pentecostal Hymns, Hope Publishing Company, 1894. Elisha A. Hoffman (1839-1929; see Biographies) was one of the editors. He said the song was inspired by the remark of one of his church members whom he had just counseled: “Yes, I tell Jesus!” Reflected here is the admonition of Psalm 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
In some books the tune has been called ORWIGSBURG, after Hoff- man’s birthplace. He also wrote the words and music of SDAH 335, “What Wonderful Savior!” and the words of SDAH 469, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.
Refrain
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
2
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
3
Oh, how the world to evil allures me!
Oh, how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(r) Ps 55:22
Author
Elisha A. Hoffman (1839-1929)
Metrical Number
10.9.10.9.Ref.
Composer
Elisha A. Hoffman
