I was looking for a hymn to post this week and this one caught my eye. I’ve have sung it often over the years, it’s a short, easy to sing song based on Song of Solomon 1:3: which reads, “Your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you.”
John Newton is the author of this hymn. Preaching in a church in Olney he wanted to find a way to help the common people remember God’s word more clearly. This led him to start creating simple songs for them to learn, with easy melodies so they could more easily bring God into their lives.
Lyrics
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest.
Dear name! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place,
My never failing treasury filled
With boundless stores of grace!
By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.
Jesus! my shepherd, husband, friend,
O prophet, priest and king,
My Lord, my life, my way, my end,
Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy name
Refresh my soul in death!
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