JESUS CHRIST >> LOVE OF CHRIST FOR US
SDAH 185
Jesus is all the world to me,
my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
without Him I would fall.
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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: Jesus Is All the World to Me
This gospel favorite by Will L. Thompson portrays a deeply personal relationship with Christ as Friend, Guide, and Joy. Written in 1904, it reflects a life fully centered on Jesus. The tune ELIZABETH, named after Thompson’s wife, is gentle and expressive, matching the heartfelt words. Let this hymn be our testimony: “He’s my Friend.”
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This hymn, with this tune, was first published by W. L. Thompson in his Century Hymnal, 1904. It concerns living life as a friend of Jesus.
Will Lamartine Thompson was born November 7, 1847, at East Liverpool, Ohio; he studied at Mount Union College, Ohio; Boston Conservatory of Music; and later at Leipzig, Germany. Back in his hometown, he formed Will L. Thompson and Company, and had a successful career writing and publishing sacred and secular songs in many collections. He was known as “The Bard of Ohio.” As a boy in a musical family, he quickly learned to play piano, organ, and other musical instruments. At 16 he was already composing secular songs that were good enough to be published. At age 27 he took four of his songs to a well-known publisher in Cleveland and offered all of them for $100. The publisher said they were worth, at the most, only $25. So Thompson went to New York and had them printed; he managed the sales himself. They all had a good sale, but two of them became immensely popular. Within a year he had earned more than $1,000 from these songs. This encouraged him to start his own business.
Many of his songs were written as the result of a sudden inspiration, so he always carried a notebook wherever he went, and would jot down ideas for text and music. When asked, “How do you get the music in your mind without going to the instrument?” he replied, “The music comes to my mind the same as any other thought. As I write the words of a song, a fitting melody is already in my mind; and as I jot down the music, I know just how it will sound. I write the different parts of the harmony, and the whole piece is rehearsed in my mind.”
Among his many sacred songs that became widely used are: “There’s a Great Day Coming”; “The Sinner and the Song”; “Lead Me Gently Home, Father”; and “Softly and Tenderly” (see SDAH 287). He died in New York City September 20, 1909.
The tune is named ELIZABETH in honor of his wife, Elizabeth Johnson, whom he married in 1891 at East Liverpool, Ohio. He made this state and river famous by his secular song, “My Home on the Old Ohio.” The tune ELIZABETH is in the unusual meter of 8.6.8.6.8.8.4.4.3.
Stanza:
1 – James 2:23
2 – Matthew 5:45
4 – Psalm 52:8
Text
1
Jesus is all the world to me,
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
Without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go,
No other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad,
He’s my friend.
2
Jesus is all the world to me,
My Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He’s my friend.
3
Jesus is all the world to me,
And true to Him I’ll be;
O how could I this Friend deny,
When He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right,
He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night,
He’s my friend.
4
Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my Friend.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Jas 2:23 (b) Matt 5:45 (d) Ps 52:8
Author
Will L. Thompson (1847-1909)
Hymn Tune
ELIZABETH
Metrical Number
Irregular
Composer
Will L. Thompson
Tune Source
1904
For Music Ministers
Discover thoughtfully selected choral, instrumental, and keyboard arrangements to help you plan meaningful music for worship, special programs, and other ministry occasions. Some of the links in this section are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from your purchase at no additional cost to you. Your support helps maintain this website and allows me to continue providing resources for music ministry.
Jerusalem, My Happy Home, arranged by Mark Shepperd: This traditional American melody with 16th century text has been delightfully arranged for SATB choir and piano. Perfect for use during time of introspection and contemplation.
SATB choir (SATB). Sacred octavos. Capital University Choral Series. Sacred. Octavo. Beckenhorst Press #BP2042. Published by Beckenhorst Press (BP.BP2042). UPC: 748769020425. 6.75 x 10.25 inches. SKU: BP.BP2042
Jerusalem, My Happy Home, arranged by Richard Proulx: Scored for men’s voices (AATB) in 1971, this SATB designation for mixed voices loses none of the effectiveness of the original arrangement. “Jerusalem, My Happy Home” may be thought of as a partner piece to Proulx’s “Amazing Grace” from 1973 (G-6389), to which he later added a flute part. Both of these American folk hymn settings are characterized by canonic treatment of the melody and parallel open intervals in the men’s voices.
SATB choir, piano reduction – Early intermediate. Proulx Legacy Series. Tune Name: Land Of Rest. Sacred. Octavo. 8 pages. GIA Publications #G-9053. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-9053). UPC: 785147905301. 6.75 x 10.25 inches. English. Text Source: F. B. P., 16th c. manuscript., alt. SKU: GI.G-9053
Jerusalem, My Happy Home, arranged by Alice Parker: Choral (SATB) SKU: HL.8765184 Hinshaw Sacred. Octavo. Hal Leonard #HMC595. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.8765184). UPC: 728215004414. 6.75 x 10.25 inches.
Jerusalem, My Happy Home, arranged by James Hopkins: SATB choir, organ. SKU: EC.4942Composed by James F. Hopkins. 21st Century. Octavo. E.C. Schirmer Publishing #4942. Published by E.C. Schirmer Publishing (EC.4942). ISBN 600313449420. UPC: 600313449420. 6.75 x 10.25 inches. Text: F.B.P., 16th-Century.
Songs of Heaven (A collection of 5 hymns and spirituals for String Quartet) by Sharon Wilson String Quartet: These arrangements are straight-forward and suitable for late beginner to intermediate string groups since all notes for all instruments can be played in the first position. An optional repeat is provided for each song in case a longer selection is desired.
String Quartet Cello,String Quartet,Viola,Violin – Level 2 – Digital Download. Christian, Folk, Sacred, Spiritual, Traditional. 44 pages. Sharon Wilson #1025815. Published by Sharon Wilson (A0.1445994). SKU: A0.1445994
Jerusalem My Happy Home (3-5 octaves) by Cathy Moklebust: Based on the early American tune “Land of Rest”, this lively and varied arrangement features themes of joy and happiness that are obvious in the introduction and first stanza, with the use of dancing, staccato rhythms. The second stanza is more flowing in style, and the third features a four-part round with flute, cello, optional handchimes, and the singing bell technique. The final stanza is full and glorious and includes a soaring flute descant. Voicing: 3, 4, 5 octaves handbells with optional 3 octaves handchimes, flute, violincello, and percussion.
Handbells – intermediate. SKU: CG.CGB632I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord. Composed by Early American Melody. Arranged by Cathy Moklebust. General, Holy Communion. With 3 octaves handchimes, Flute, Cello, Percussion. General, Holy Communion, Sacred. Handbell Score. 12 pages. Chorister’s Guild #CGB632. Published by Chorister’s Guild (CG.CGB632). UPC: 749193014813. 8.5 x 11 inches.
Jerusalem, My Happy Home by Wilbur Held: Five well-known hymns are set here in simple, pleasing style. The keyboard part works comfortably on either piano or organ, and the cello part will transfer easily, with a few adjustments, to other bass instruments.
Cello and keyboard – Medium – Digital Download. SKU: MQ.20-980-2E Composed by Wilbur Held. All Saints/All Souls. Score. 4 pages. MorningStar Music Publishers – Digital Sheet Music #20-980-2E. Published by MorningStar Music Publishers – Digital Sheet Music (MQ.20-980-2E).
Three Folk Hymns for Winds for Two Flutes, Oboe and Clarinet by Donna Robertson. Innovative arrangements of three familiar folk hymns, perfect for both sacred and secular settings. Instrumentation: 2 Flutes, Oboe, Clarinet.
Chamber Music. SKU: AY.CM109Arranged by Donna N. Robertson. Ensembles – Chamber Music. Score and parts. Alry Publications #CM109. Published by Alry Publications (AY.CM109). ISBN 9790302105312. 9 x 12 inches.
Transformations by Howard Helvey. 10 eloquent new arrangements for piano solo based on beloved hymn tunes: How Can I Keep From Singing? (ENDLESS SONG); Jerusalem, My Happy Home (LAND OF REST); Holy, Holy, Holy (NICAEA); Take Up Thy Cross, the Savior Said (BOURBON); Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness (GERMANY); Christians, We Have Met to Worship (HOLY MANNA); How Great Thou Art (HOW GREAT THOU ART); Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy (RESTORATION); Come Down, O Love Divine (DOWN AMPNEY); The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended (ST. CLEMENT). Difficulty level: Early Advanced.
Piano. SKU: BP.PC25Composed by Howard Helvey. Arranged by Howard Helvey. Piano collections. Collection. Beckenhorst Press #PC25. Published by Beckenhorst Press (BP.PC25). 9 x 12 inches.
Jerusalem, My Happy Home by Charles E. Callahan Jr. Organ – Digital Sheet Music
Jerusalem, My Happy Home by Amanda Tero. An advanced hymn arrangement for the classically-trained pianist. This old melody is delightful and almost like a movie soundtrack. Nestled in moving sixteenth notes with a sprinkling of left hand melody. 4 pages. Keys of F and G. This is part of the Surrender collection—seven arrangements for advanced pianists. Full album also available on most streaming platforms.
Piano Solo – Level 4 – Digital Download. SKU: A0.1083918Composed by American Folk Hymn. Arranged by Amanda Tero. Praise & Worship,Sacred,Traditional. Score. 5 pages. Amanda Tero #688123. Published by Amanda Tero (A0.1083918).
American Folk Hymns for Piano, 8 Early Advanced to Advanced Arrangements by Anna Laura Page: These 8 folk hymns were adopted as American more than a century ago. Titles: Amazing Grace * I Am Bound for the Promised Land * I Know that My Redeemer Lives * Jerusalem, My Happy Home * My Shepherd Will Supply My Need * ‘Tis a Gift to Be Simple * When I Can Read My Title Clear * Wherever I May Wander.
Piano – Advanced; Early Advanced. SKU: AP.188898 Early Advanced to Advanced Arrangements. Composed by Anna Laura Page. Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Folk; Hymn; Sacred. Book. 36 pages. Alfred Music #00-18889. Published by Alfred Music (AP.18889). UPC: 038081171661. 9 x 12 inches. English.
Chords from Ultimate Guitar website (Some of the words may be different from the SDA Hymnal)
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