Weigle composed this hymn in 1932. He was a Baptist
evangelist, preacher, and music teacher from Lafayette, Indiana. He composed
over 1,000 gospel songs throughout his life. However, this particular hymn
stands out for its story and meaning.
Weigle was born November 20, 1871, into a German-Lutheran
family. He had four brothers and seven sisters. His father and mother were
devout Christians who led them in family prayer and daily Bible reading.
Weigle gave his life to Christ during a series of revival
meetings at the Methodist Church of Lafayette, where his parents had been
attending. Several of his friends were also converted during that time.
Charles, one of his last peers to give his life to Christ, already had a
reputation as a troublemaker. As he tells the testimony of his salvation,
he likens that little church to a courtroom where his sins lay bare before the
judge. Confronted with the evidence, he had little hope. Then Jesus stepped
forward to take the penalty for his sins.
Charles’ testimony exposes a nasty young boy’s temper.
He recounts the story of seriously injuring an older brother with a knife,
knocking down one of the neighbor boys with a bat, and attacking someone with a
heavy dinner bell so severely the victim had to be carried home. His parents
warned him many times about the consequences of his violent bursts of anger.
His conversion experience pits a forceful recognition of
condemnation of sin with awareness of his deep need for forgiveness. Under
conviction of sin, he pictured one after another of those he’d wronged who
pronounced him guilty.
Weigle illustrates Jesus’ work in his heart as one who knew
the hopeless situation of his soul but as a loving and caring advocate before
the high court of heaven. The question came to young Charles within his soul, “Did
you do all these things?” Charles responded, “Yes, sir, and a lot of things
they don’t even know about.”
Charles’s ministry often took him away from home, leaving
his wife and daughter alone. One day, Weigle came home to find his wife had
decided to leave him. The strain proved too much for their marriage. She no
longer wanted to live the life of an evangelist’s wife. His wife took their
daughter and indulged in a life of worldly pleasure.
Weigle fell into a deep depression. The hymn’s title
poignantly reflects the despair he’d experienced in those years when he
wondered if anyone truly cared. Ministry and songwriting halted. His faith was
sorely tried. Three years later, his wife died.
Weigle speaks of coming through years of misery and
struggling with a stronger desire to give everything to the Lord. His ministry
and music resumed. Overwhelming abundance and joy returned. As he marveled at
the blessings of the Lord one day, Charles sat down at his piano and said
aloud, “Jesus, no one ever cared for me like You.” He then wrote the song
expressing this heartfelt reality in only twenty minutes.
The words of the title had proven true in the life of
Charles Weigle. Jesus’ kindness and compassion of Jesus throughout Weigle’s
darkness became more real than he had ever known. He found Christ’s love deeper
than any he had ever experienced.
It is not difficult to sing when all is going well. But
often God gives a special song to one of his hurting children during the night
times of their life. Believers find new joy in their nights of sorrow and
despair, and they discover a greater closeness with their Lord during times of
deep need. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while on the barren
island of Patmos; John Bunyan completed the classic "Pilgrim’s Progress” while
in the Bedford jail; Beethoven composed his immortal 9th Symphony while totally
deaf; and Fanny Crosby once remarked, “If I had not lost my sight, I could
never have written all the hymns God gave me.”
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Jesus described the measure and quality of His love for them, to use as a pattern for the way they [disciples] should love each other. His love is complete and of surpassing greatness, laying down His life . . . Friendship with Jesus can’t be disconnected from obedience to His commands . . . they were friends because Jesus didn’t keep secrets from them, but openly revealed what He had received from God the Father.
Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: He was loved by God with an everlasting love, who showed acts of friendship to him; called him by His grace, and blessed him with spiritual blessings , , , and Abraham readily complied with His will, and not only yielded a cheerful obedience to His commands, but enjoined his children after him to observe them.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The everlasting arms of God are underneath, as a foundation for everything. Everything in the universe, all creation, the church, the individual believer – all built on a firm foundation, with God’s everlasting, strong, arms underneath. They are also underneath the believer as a place of rest. Our Father’s arms are a perfect pillow, giving perfect rest. We can put all our weight on these strong arms, leaning heavily on them . . . “They are arms which always were, and always will be; arms which always were strong, and never will grow faint or weary; arms which once outstretched will never be drawn back again; arms which once engaged for the defense of the chosen people shall never cease to work for their good world without end. Not failing arms, nor dying arms, but everlasting arms, are underneath the saints of God.” (Spurgeon)
Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Being fully persuaded that God will accept us for the sake of His Son, and that the sacrificial death of Christ gives us full authority to expect every blessing we need.
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The “full
assurance of faith” means unwavering confidence; a fulness of faith in God
which leaves no room for doubt. Christians are permitted to come thus because
God has revealed Himself through the Redeemer as in every way deserving their
fullest confidence. No one approaches God in an acceptable manner who does not
come to Him in this manner.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: God concerns Himself in the affairs of His servants, and in whatsoever befalls them, and takes diligent care that no good thing be wanting to them.”
Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Whatever things concern a follower of God, whether they be spiritual or temporal, or whether in themselves great or small, God concerns Himself with them; what affects them affects Him; in all their afflictions He is afflicted. He who knows that God care for him, need have no anxious cares about himself. This is a plain reference to Psalms 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee. He will bear both thee and thy burden."
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The meaning is, that we are to commit our whole cause to Him. If we suffer heavy trials; if we lose our friends, health, or property; if we have arduous and responsible duties to perform; if we feel that we have no strength, and are in danger of being crushed by what is laid upon us, we may go and cast all upon the Lord; that is, we may look to Him for grace and strength, and feel assured that He will enable us to sustain all that is laid upon us. He will enable us to bear with ease what we supposed we could never have done; and the burden which He lays upon us will be light.
This hymn became popular almost immediately after it appeared in the 1930s, but even more so after the rich bass-baritone of George Beverly Shea sang it at Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings. Thousands heard the song. Captivated by the words highlighted in the title, the simple truth resonated with its hearers.
The words of the title proved true in the life of Weigle. Each of us can confidently say: no one cared for me like Jesus.
