’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
This page includes a lyric video, history, sheet music, and other resources for the classic hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” Enjoy!
Enjoy this You Tube video, performed by Jadon Lavik, with lyrics for “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”:
History of “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”:
Words by Louisa M. R. Stead (1850-1917), Published in 1882
Louisa Stead Wodehouse was born around 1850 in Dover, England. From a young age, she felt called to serve as a missionary. Unfortunately, frail health prevented her from going to China as she desired.1 She did, however, marry in 1875 and soon thereafter gave birth to her daughter Lily. In 1880, while in Long Island, New York with her family, Louisa tragically witnessed her husband die while trying to rescue a drowning boy.2 The following years would prove to be difficult both emotionally and financially, but Louisa found comfort in her deep faith. Just two years after losing her husband, she penned the words to “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” (published in Songs of Triumph, 1882). And trust him she did!
Despite her health, as well as the challenges of being a single mother, Louisa bravely pursued her call to missions and moved to South Africa where she served for over a decade. While in South Africa, Louisa remarried a man by the name of Robert Wodehouse. In 1895, Louisa had to return to America for health reasons, but six years later, she returned to the mission field. After many faithful years of service, Louisa died in Zimbabwe in 1917 having imparted her passion for missions to her daughter Lily who became a missionary herself.3
Music by William Kirkpatrick (1838 -1921), Published in 1882
Louisa’s hymn has always been sung to the tune “Trust in Jesus” by William Kirkpatrick – the tune with which it was first published in 1882.4 As the son of a school teacher and musician, William was raised in a musical environment. William spent his life in Pennsylvania where he studied and worked in carpentry and mechanics for many years — though he found himself devoting most of his free time to music. He was particularly skilled in violin and cello and was in constant demand at his church. Many of William’s working hours were invested in a furniture business until 1878 when, after the death of his first wife, he gave up his business interests and devoted his full time to music.5 And God blessed William with a beautiful and fruitful ministry. William began writing hymns and published his first composition in 1858. By the end of his life, he had published an estimated 100 hymn collections.6
Lyrics for “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”:
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, Thus says the Lord!
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Refrain
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
Refrain
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Refrain
Additional Resources for “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”:
Sheet Music (PDF Compliments of Hymnary.org)
Guitar Chords (Links to The Guitar Hymn Book)
Visit Hymnary.org or Hymn Time.com for more on this hymn.
See our Hymn of the Week page for a list of the hymns that are included on this site.
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Sources:
1 Reynolds, William Jensen. Hymns of Our Faith: A Handbook for the Baptist Hymnal. Broadman Press, 1964, p. 413.
2 Hustad, Donald P. Dictionary Handbook to Hymns for the Living Church. Hope Publishing Company, 1978, p. 323.
3 Reynolds, p. 414.
4 Reynolds, p. 216.
5 Reynolds, p. 332
6 Ibid.
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