"Now I Belong to Jesus"

 

Norman John Clayton was born in Brooklyn, NY, the 9th of 10 children. He gave his heart to Jesus at age six at the South Brooklyn Gospel Church. He was musically inclined, and became church organist at age 12, and also played trumpet. He remained an organist for the rest of his life.

When young he first worked on a dairy farm, then held an office job in NYC. Clayton entered the building trades industry, working for his father’s construction business, and during the depression, with a commercial bakery. He married Martha Adaline Wistendahl, and they had two children.

In the early 1940s, Jack Wyrtzen invited him to be an organist with NYC “Word of Life” rallies. For 15 years he provided music, was organist, vibraphonist, director of the inquiry room, and radio evangelist. He created his own publishing house, and from 1945-1959 he published 30 of his own songbooks. His company was eventually purchased by the Rodeheaver Company, and he joined them as a writer/editor, providing other songs during that period. He died at Carmel, NY.

Clayton stated: “I feel it is vitally important that every song I write be biblically based.” He had the habit of writing the music before the words. He made it a lifelong practice to memorize Scripture and tried, each time he wrote the words of a song, to be sure that its message was clearly biblical.

In 1942 he was working with Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life organization, providing music for both the radio broadcasts and crusade meetings.  He composed the tune Ellsworth that year and wrote the words for this fine gospel song about a year later. 

Clayton wrote hundreds of hymns and they were singable, musically sweet and tender of sentiment.  They reflected his evangelical emphasis, focused on the saving work of Christ and the relationship with God through Him

This hymn emphasizes the believer's assurance of salvation and eternal belonging to Christ. It reflects his commitment to writing music that is both theologically sound and accessible for congregational singing.  

Lindsay Terry, in his book “Stories Behind Popular Songs and Hymns” (Baker Book House, 1990) recounts the following story: “A missionary named Roy Gustatson was invited to minister at a notorious prison in Jamaica. He sang and preached the gospel that day to a thousand men. But then, a guard asked if he’d meet with a small group of condemned prisoners who were to go to the gallows in a couple of days. The consciousness that this would be the last time these men would hear the gospel gripped him.

"To these men, starkly facing a Christless eternity, Roy gave his personal testimony, and sang Norman Clayton’s song, 'Now I Belong to Jesus.' One man was a condemned killer. He said, 'I’m going to die on Tuesday morning, sir. Can I be saved?' Adding sadly, 'I can’t read.'

"When Gustatson read him some salvation verses from the Word of God, the man bowed his face to the dirt floor sobbing, and called on the Lord to save him. Then, smiling through his tears, he asked for Clayton’s song to be sung again and, with some help, he sang along. As the guard let the evangelist out of the prison, he looked back and saw the man, waving his arms through the bars, still singing, 'Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me, / Not for the years of time alone, / But for eternity.'”

Verse One

“Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,

From Him no pow’r of evil can sever,

He gave His life to ransom my soul;

Now I belong to Him.”

Mark 10:45

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Biblerepository.com: The phrase “to give His life a ransom for many” is also crucial. It points to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where He willingly gave up His life to pay for our sins. This act of love paid the price so we could be free from guilt and shame . . . Furthermore, the word “ransom” implies that Jesus paid a hefty price. His sacrifice was not trivial; it was a life laid down so that we could be free from the consequences of our own mistakes.

Verse Two

“Once I was lost in sin’s degradation,

Jesus came down to bring me salvation,

Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,

Now I belong to Him.”

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Biblerepository.com: The phrase “once I was lost” encompasses every person. It serves as an invitation for us to come out of hiding and into the light of Christ’s love. No one is excluded from His call; regardless of our life choices, Jesus is calling us to Himself. Every lost person has value, and this truth should resonate deeply in our hearts.

Godsbless.ing: This verse from the gospel of Luke captures the heart and mission of Jesus Christ as He walked the earth. Jesus’s mission to seek and save the lost speaks to the very essence of who He is and what He stands for . . . It reflects His compassion, love, and unwavering dedication to bringing back those who have strayed away.

Verse Three

“Joy floods my soul for Jesus has saved me,

Freed me from sin that long had enslaved me

His precious blood, He came to redeem,

Now I belong to Him.”

Titus 3:5

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Enduringword.com: This is the essence and distinctive of the gospel. We can notice the emphasis: of God . . . not by works . . . His mercy . . . He saved us . . . of the Holy Spirit . . . He poured . . . through Jesus . . .  by His grace . . . heirs. God is always the initiator, and we receive from Him before we give anything back.

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: God's unmerited grace is the source of all salvation, and all the good works of a hundred lifetimes could never earn or merit the saving grace of God.

Refrain

“Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: God has deeply rooted the idea of eternity in every human heart; and every considerate man sees that all the operations of God refer to that endless duration . . . And it is only in eternity that man will be able to discover what God has designed by the various works He has formed.

Godsbless.ing: The phrase “He has also set eternity in the human heart” delves deeper into the idea of our innate longing for something beyond the earthly realm. It speaks to the human desire for eternity, for something greater and more meaningful than what we experience in this life . . . This verse serves as a comforting reminder that despite the temporal nature of this world, our souls are aligned with eternity and are meant for a deeper spiritual connection with God.

Psalm 93:2

“Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity.”

 “There never was a time in which God did not reign, in which He was not a supreme and absolute Monarch; for He is from everlasting. There never was a time in which He was not; there never can be a period in which He shall cease to exist.” (Clarke)

You who are saved. You will always belong to Jesus!

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

DianaLeaghMatthews.com

Hymnoftheweek.net, Jeff Mowery

Barryshymns.blogspot.com

Hymnary.org

By His Grace . . . 

Satisfied

 

George Beverly Shea tells this story about the author of this hymn, Clara Tear Williams, in his book, “Songs That Lift the Heart”:

"My father, the Reverend A. J. Shea, and I were on an afternoon shopping trip for Mother, as I recall. When we came out of a store in Houghton, New York, where we had recently moved from Winchester, Ontario, we met a tall, elderly woman making her way slowly up the street. She was walking in that slow, mincing step older people sometimes do, cautious not to lose balance.

"Dad tipped his hat and said good day to her as we passed. She stopped and looked up to see who was speaking. Smiling sweetly, she returned his greeting.

"'Do you know who that was, son?' he asked me on up the way. I turned and watched as she continued her careful progress. Though a distinguished woman, I had no idea who she was.

"'That,' said Dad, 'was Mrs. Clara Tear Williams. She writes hymns.' There was a near reverence in his voice, and though I was only eight years old, I was duly impressed. Already, I was fascinated by music and anyone who was involved in it . . .

"When Dad and I got home that afternoon, I told Mother about meeting Mrs. Williams, the hymnwriter. She smiled knowingly and nodded her head. Then she went to the piano bench and found a hymnal that contained one of Clara Tear Williams' compositions.

"She explained that Mrs. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist like us, had written the words, but that the music had been written by Ralph E. Hudson, an Ohio publisher who also was an evangelistic singer.

"A few years later, when I was in my teens and began to sing solos, I memorized the hymn that Mother played that day and sang it. It was entitled ‘Satisfied.’"

George Beverly Shea also said: “She [Williams] had a regal and dignified bearing and yet she had the kindness and gentleness of Christ in her face. I enjoyed the soft, musical tones of her voice. Through her sweetness and graciousness to everyone, she became another wonderful proof to me of the reality of the Christian walk. Hers was a beautiful life exhibited not only to the whole community but expressed also in the pages of hymnody.”

Mrs. Clara Tear Williams, as a young woman, was a schoolteacher. She suffered an attack of tuberculosis but fully recovered from it and for several years engaged in evangelistic work in several North Central states.

Williams said: “I was helping in meetings in Troy, Ohio, where Professor R. E. Hudson conducted the singing, when, just before retiring one night, he asked me to write a song for a book he was preparing to publish. Before sleeping, I wrote ‘Satisfied.’ In the morning, he composed the music."

In 1895 she married the Reverend W.H. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist minister, and until his death thirty years later labored with him in serving churches in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Commission of her church which compiled Sacred Hymns and Tunes, in 1897.

Verse One

“All my life-long I had panted,

For a drink from some cool spring;

That I hoped would quench,

The burning of the thirst I felt within.”

John 4:14

“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Enduringword.com: The effect of this water does much more than simply satisfy the thirst of the one who drinks it. It also creates something good, something life-giving in the heart of the one who drinks it. It becomes a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

Biblerepository.com: Jesus says that if we drink of the water He provides, we will never thirst again. This represents a complete satisfaction that comes not from earthly things but from a relationship with Him. There is an implication that our souls can be filled and fulfilled by Him in a way that nothing else – not achievements, wealth, or even relationships – can ever accomplish. This “well of water springing up” symbolizes the continuous flow of His grace, love, and sustenance in our lives, giving us strength and vitality day by day. This living water becomes a source of life within us.

Verse Two

“Feeding on the husks around me,

Till my strength was almost gone;

Longed my soul for something better,

Only still to hunger on.”

Proverbs 13:19

“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.”

Bibleoutlined.com: A longing can relate to spiritual desires—ways in which we yearn for a connection to God, as well as emotional and physical aspirations. The fulfillment of such longings is depicted as “sweet,” a metaphor that elicits feelings of joy. We experience this sweetness when we pray for something and see our prayers answered, reinforcing our faith and hope . . .  let us strive to identify and pursue our longings while also remaining mindful of the paths we take to achieve them. Are they leading us toward fulfillment in life, or are they luring us into destructive patterns? . . . Ultimately, by aligning our hearts with goodness and embracing change, we gain access to the sweetness life offers. Let us prioritize wisdom, foster our good desires, and move away from things that bring negativity around us. If we do so, we are sure to find ourselves experiencing a life filled with joy and fulfillment.

Verse Three

“Poor I was, and sought for riches,

Something that would satisfy;

But the dust I gathered round me,

Only mocked my soul's sad cry.”

Psalm 145:16

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: God consistently sustains the fallen, uplifts the oppressed, and provides for all. Therefore, every person looks to God for His provision of his or her needs. Since God’s dominion is everlasting, He cares for His creatures faithfully and lovingly all the time.

Godsbless.ing: This verse serves as a reminder of the abundance and provision that comes from the Lord. It emphasizes the belief that God’s care and generosity extend to all living beings, fulfilling their needs and desires. The reference to “every living thing” shows the universal scope of God’s benevolence, highlighting the idea that no one is overlooked by His care. This verse also underscores the concept of contentment and satisfaction that comes from relying on God for our needs, trusting in His perfect provision for us . . . It encourages us to have faith that God will provide for us, satisfying our true needs and leading us to a place of contentment and fulfillment. This verse ultimately inspires gratitude and trust in God’s constant care and provision for each of us.

Verse Four

“Well of water, ever springing,

Bread of Life, so rich and free,

Untold wealth that never faileth,

My Redeemer is to me.”

Psalm 19:14

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance.

John 6:35

“Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'”

Bibleoutlined.com: This verse from the book of John carries deep significance, as it encapsulates the essence of Christ’s mission and His invitation to humanity. Here, Jesus refers to Himself as the “bread of life.” This phrase not only symbolizes sustenance but also spiritual nourishment. Just as bread is a fundamental source of physical nourishment for the body, Jesus presents Himself as the fundamental source of spiritual fulfillment for the soul. He assures us that if we come to Him, we will never experience hunger or thirst, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. This means that when we accept Christ and believe in Him, our deepest needs for love, meaning, and purpose will be met. In essence, Jesus promises that He alone can satisfy our heartfelt longings in ways that worldly things cannot. The invitation here is open, welcoming all who seek satisfaction and fulfillment in life’s journey.

Refrain

“Hallelujah! I have found Him-

Whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings;

Through His blood I now am saved.”

Acts 4:12

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Godsbless.ing: Salvation through Jesus Christ is made possible because He is the only name by which we can be saved. Jesus is our mediator, the one who sacrificed Himself for our sins on the cross, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Through faith in Jesus, we can be redeemed and receive the gift of eternal life. It is by His grace alone that we are saved, not by our own works or merit . . . When we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior, believing in Him and confessing our sins, we receive the promise of salvation. We become children of God by accepting Him into our hearts. This act of faith in Jesus is the foundational step towards salvation, leading us into a personal relationship with God and securing our eternal destiny in heaven. We will continue to seek Him, obey His teachings, and live out our faith in Jesus Christ as we strive to walk in His ways and share the hope of salvation with others.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Godtube.com

WordwiseBiblestudies.com

Christianheritagefellowship.com

Bibleportal.com

By His Grace . . .

"He Hideth My Soul"

 

Fanny Crosby is a well-known name in the field of hymn writers. She is considered the hymn queen. She wrote over 9,000 hymns. She didn’t start writing until she was 40 years old.

 
You can read Crosby’s story under the “Blog Archive” on the right side of this blog, in the following hymn studies: November 2023, “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It;” October 2024, “Blessed Assurance,” and March 2025, “I Am Thine, O Lord."  I’ve included here some facts that may not be remembered as well as her life with blindness.
 
Fanny was given an extraordinary opportunity when she was a teacher. Hoping to bring attention to the Institute where she taught, Fanny was sent with some students to Washington, DC to address Congress. Her stated purpose was to raise money for the school and encourage Congress to incorporate the blind into every facet of society and not dismiss them from public life.

Members in her audience the day Fanny spoke to Congress included John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, and Jefferson Davis, a senator and the future president of the Confederate States of America. In this role, Fanny became the first woman to ever formally address the Senate and Congress.”

Regarding her marriage she wrote: "Some people seem to forget that blind girls have just as great a faculty for loving and do love just as much and just as truly as those who have their sight. When I was about 20, a gifted young man by the name of Alexander Van Alstyne came to our institute. He was also blind and a musician. We soon became very much concerned for each other. . . I placed my right hand on his left and called him 'Van.' From that hour, two lives looked on a new universe, for love met love, and all the world was changed. On March 5 in the year 1858, we were united in marriage. I became a mother and knew a mother's love, but the angels came down and took our infant up to God."

Her love for writing followed her throughout her life and she never seemed to be bothered by her lack of sight. She is quoted as saying, “It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered to me tomorrow, I would not accept it. I might not have ever sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me." She also once said, “When I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.” She had an ability to craft words, phrases and thoughts so vividly that would allow us to see the Savior so clearly in her songs.”

Crosby was once asked if there was a special hymn written for her conversion experience. She replied: “I would write many hymns to describe the joy of my salvation. The one that stands out the most to me right now is this one, “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It.”

Fanny had an agreement with publishers to write three hymns a week for use in their Sunday school publications; her hymns were aimed at bringing the message of the Gospel to people who would not listen to preaching. She prayed God over each hymn asking that He would use it to lead many souls to Him.

“He Hideth My Soul” is a hymn that wraps the believer in peace. It’s a song of safety — not because life is easy, but because God is faithful. It reminds us that no matter the storm, no matter the burden, there is a quiet place of refuge in Christ. A place where grace flows freely, and where fear gives way to rest.

This hymn was set to music by William J. Kirkpatrick, a composer and music leader who frequently partnered with Crosby. Together, they created a melody that flows gently and confidently, matching the hymn’s message of assurance.

Verse One

“A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,

A wonderful Savior to me;

He's hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock,

Where rivers of pleasure I see.”

 
Song of Songs 2:14
“My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The church is Christ's dove . . . Christ is the Rock, in whom alone she can think herself safe, and find herself easy, as a dove in the hole of a rock . . . Christ calls her to come boldly to the throne of grace, having a great High Priest there, to tell what her request is. Speak freely, fear not a slight or a repulse. The voice of prayer is sweet and acceptable to God; those who are sanctified have the best comeliness. 

Godsbless.ing: This verse speaks to the tender and intimate nature of love, where the beloved is invited into a space of safety and comfort. When we think about the concept of hiding, it may evoke feelings of secrecy or even concealment, but here it represents something far more profound. It signifies a desire to create a sanctuary—an emotional refuge where love can be nurtured and flourished away from the chaos of the outside world.

Verse Two

“A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord;

He carries my burdens away,

He's holding me up, and I shall not be moved;

He's giving me strength day by day.”

Psalm 68:19
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
 
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: He enables us to bear it; He gives us strength; and finally He delivers us from it . . . He does not leave us. He enables us to triumph in Him, and through Him; and we have occasion constantly to honor and to praise His name. This accords with the experience of all His people, that however heavy the burden may be laid on them, and however constant their trials, they find Him as constant a Helper, and they daily have occasion to praise and bless Him.
  
Godsbless.ing: This verse beautifully reminds us of the constant presence and care of the Lord in our lives. When we feel weighed down by the challenges and worries of the world, we can find refuge in the knowledge that God is carrying our burdens for us each day. It emphasizes that we are not alone in our struggles, and that the Almighty God is there to support and uplift us.
 

Verse Three

“With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,

And fills with His fullness divine;

I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God,

For such a Redeemer is mine.”

 
Isaiah 47:4
“Our Redeemer—the Lord Almighty is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.”
 
Godsbless.ing: Here, Isaiah is emphasizing that despite the impending judgment on Babylon, the Lord, who is the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, remains sovereign over all nations. This reaffirms the notion that God is in control of all things and that ultimately His righteousness will prevail. It also highlights the importance of recognizing God as the Redeemer and Holy one, showcasing His divine attributes that set Him apart from all other powers.
 

Verse Four

“When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise,

To meet Him in clouds of the sky,

His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,

I'll shout with the millions on high.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
 
Biblerepository.com: In essence, 1 Thessalonians 4:17 encapsulates the heart of Christian eschatology. It talks about the rapture as an event that brings believers together—those who have died and those who remain, culminating in a glorious meeting with Jesus. The significance of clouds highlights the divine nature of this moment. Clouds often symbolize God’s presence, showing that this encounter is not just a mundane gathering but a holy and celestial event. Imagine standing in a group of loved ones, all sharing the awe of witnessing the Lord’s return!

Refrain

“He's hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock,

That shadows a dry, thirsty land;

He's hiding my life in the depths of his love,

And cov'ring me there with his hand,

And cov'ring me there with his hand.”

Biblerepository.com: Being placed in the cleft of the rock symbolizes safety and shelter. Just as God offered physical protection to Moses in a literal cleft of a rock, He also extends that protection to our spiritual lives. Throughout Scripture, we find God serving as a refuge for those who seek Him. Psalms like Psalm 46:1 say, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God’s gracious act of covering Moses with His hand displays the idea that He cares about our frailties. It reminds us that in His greatness, He still looks after our well-being.

“He Hideth My Soul” is a hymn that wraps the believer in peace. It’s a song of safety — not because life is easy, but because God is faithful. It reminds us that no matter the storm, no matter the burden, there is a quiet place of refuge in Christ. A place where grace flows freely, and where fear gives way to rest.

The strength of this hymn is in its calm certainty. It doesn’t cry out in desperation — it sings from a place of quiet confidence. The title comes from Exodus 33:22, when God tells Moses, “I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand.” That’s the image: God Himself sheltering us.

Psalm 32:7

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

 
 

I am indebted to the following resources:
DianaleaghMatthews.com
Hishymnhistory.blogspot.com
Scripturetruth.org
Violinhymns.com

 By His Grace . . .

 

I Stand Amazed in the Presence

As a new Christian in my late 20s, I saw Sunday evenings in church as a time to sing gospel songs. Among those were songs by Charles Gabriel (1856-1932), who wrote “I Stand Amazed in the Presence.” Two other well-known hymns he wrote are "Send the Light, the Blessed Gospel Light," and, "O That Will Be Glory for Me." Themes of spreading the gospel and heaven abound in Gabriel's songs.

He was born in 1856 on a farm in Iowa and spent his early years there. His father was actually a travelling music teacher, so he became quite musical at a young age. When his father died, he initially carried on his music teaching practice, but even before that he'd developed such a natural talent that during the day he would be busy on the farm doing his chores and he would be writing melodies in his head. He would come back in and write songs based on them.

He announced to his family that he wanted to be a songwriter and everyone was very pleased. He said how he wanted to write a famous song, and his mother said this to him: "My boy, I would rather have you write a song that will help somebody than see you the President of the United States."

Though self-trained, he started leading singing school educational events as a teenager. He worked with Grace Episcopal Methodist Church in San Francisco from 1890-1892 and then moved to Chicago where he worked for Homer Rodeheaver’s Publishing Firm.

Gabriel became known as the “Master of Missionary Music.” Gabriel led worship for Billy Sunday encouraging listeners to hear the “Macedonian Call” (a call by the apostle Paul in Acts encouraging a Macedonian to join him in preaching the gospel). One common thread throughout many of Gabriel‘s lyrics is the high-honor and sense of indebtedness to spread the good news of the gospel.

During the 1890s he and his family moved to Chicago and became very involved in the music there. He wrote countless songs, published countless hymnals, and was well known in the field for his prolific work.

He edited gospel song books and contributed numerous hymns to various publications.  He is credited with writing between 7,000-8,000 hymns and songs in his life. 

Verse One

“I stand amazed in the presence,

  Of Jesus the Nazarene.

And wonder how He could love me,

  A sinner condemned, unclean.”

 Luke 9:43

“And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.”

Biblerepository.com: In Luke 9:43, we see a beautiful picture of amazement and wonder surrounding the ministry of Jesus Christ. The people witnessing His miracles are struck with awe at the display of God’s might and power . . . What this verse truly offers us is a glimpse into the heart of our faith and the essence of the message Jesus is conveying to His disciples during this moment . . . The crowd’s wonder symbolizes the natural human response to the divine. In our lives, we might encounter moments of amazement as we see God at work . . . We can relate to this universal feeling of awe. There is a sense of simplicity in taking a step back and reflecting on what God has done for us . . . One of the most profound lessons in this verse is how we respond to wonder in our lives. God often reveals His presence most powerfully in our moments of amazement, but those moments should spur us to further our understanding and relationship with Him. We should dive into His Word, seek to know Him more deeply, and challenge ourselves to share our experiences with others.

Verse Two

“For me it was in the garden,

He prayed: ‘Not My will, but Thine.’

He had no tears for His own griefs,

But sweat-drops of blood for mine.”

Luke 22:44

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Godsbless.ing: This verse portrays an incredibly poignant moment in Jesus’ life, demonstrating His humanity and the immense emotional and physical toll He was enduring . . . Can you imagine the depth of Jesus’ agony, knowing the sacrifice He was about to make for all of us? This verse serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice and His willingness to endure unimaginable suffering out of love for each of us. It invites us to reflect on the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice, inspiring us to appreciate the profound mercy and grace extended to us through His selfless act on the cross.

Hebrews 5:7

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”

Enduringword.com: The agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane proved He struggled with the difficulty of obedience, yet He obeyed perfectly . . . These prayers were “Most ardent requests, uttered with deep sighs, hands lifted up, and manifold moans, in a most submissive manner.” (Trapp) . . . This answers the question, “How can this glorious, enthroned Jesus know what I am going through down here?” He knows..

Verse Three

“In pity angels beheld Him,

And came from the world of light.

To strengthen Him in the sorrows,

He bore for my soul that night.”

John 12:27

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The sin of our souls was the troubled of Christ's soul, when He undertook to redeem and save us, and to make His soul an offering for our sin. Christ was willing to suffer, yet prayed to be saved from suffering . . . The soul that was at a distance from Christ, is brought to love Him and trust Him. Jesus was now going to heaven, and He would draw men's hearts to Him thither. There is power in the death of Christ to draw souls to Him.

Verse Four

“He took my sins and my sorrows,

He made them His very own;

He bore the burden to Calv’ry,

And suffered, and died alone.”

“We know the story that Jesus went to the cross bearing our sins, carrying the weight of our sins on His shoulders, becoming sin for us, taking on our curse and doing it all alone . . . This is an amazing thought: that we who are sinners, condemned and unclean, have those sins nailed to the cross with Jesus so that when we place our faith in Him they're washed away. They're taken away from us; they're placed on Him so that we can be free. This is the most wonderful act of love God could have done, taking on our sins Himself so that we could go free. How marvelous! How wonderful!”  Lukepowellministries.com

Verse Five

“When with the ransomed in glory,

His face I at last shall see.

’Twill be my joy through the ages,

To sing of His love for me.”

Mark 10:45

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Enduringword.com: This is one of the great claims Jesus made about Himself and His ministry. He is the one who stands in the place of guilty sinners and offers Himself as a substitute for them . . . The ransom metaphor sums up the purpose for which Jesus gave His life and defines the complete expression of His service.

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: Jesus says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is the greatest service, and Jesus comes for the purpose of giving it . . . Jesus gives His life in the stead of many. He gives His life in their place. His punishment and death are a substitute for the many . . . The giving of one life rescues many. The glad tidings of salvation through the ransom paid by Christ is for all who believe in and obey Him. It is not restricted to the few--His friends or His enemies--but it must be proclaimed to all.

Refrain

“How marvelous! How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

How marvelous! How wonderful!

  Is my Savior’s love for me!”

Matthew 21:42

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'”

Godsbless.ing: Jesus is compared to the cornerstone of a building in this verse. Just like a cornerstone holds a building together, Jesus is the crucial element that holds our faith and salvation together. He is the foundation on which we build our lives, our beliefs, and our relationship with God . . . Our faith cannot be complete without Jesus, just as a building cannot stand without a cornerstone. He is the key to salvation, the beginning and the end of our faith journey. Embracing Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith ensures that our spiritual foundation is strong and secure . . . The phrase “And it is marvelous in our eyes” reflects the awe and wonder that accompany the recognition of God’s miraculous deeds. It invites us to marvel at the divine wisdom that transforms rejection into exaltation.

This hymn says that one day I'm going to actually see Jesus face to face up there in glory, and then it's going to be the greatest joy to sing His praise and to thank Him for His love. “How marvelous! How wonderful!”

  

I am indebted to the following resources:

Umcdiscipleship.org

Lukepowellministries.com

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Hymnal.net

By His Grace . . .