How sweet the name of Jesus sounds is a hymn by the evangelical Anglican cleric

John Newton John Newton (; – 21 December 1807) was an English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist. He had previously been a captain of slave ships and an investor in the slave trade. He served as a sailor in the Royal Navy (after forc ...

. It was published in ''

Olney Hymns The ''Olney Hymns'' were first published in February 1779 and are the combined work of curate John Newton (1725–1807) and his poet friend William Cowper (1731–1800). The hymns were written for use in Newton's rural parish, which was made up ...

'' in 1779. Of a metaphorical nature, it focuses on the power of the

name of Jesus Two names and a variety of titles are used to refer to Jesus in the New Testament. In Christianity, the two names Jesus and Emmanuel that refer to Jesus in the New Testament have salvific attributes.''Bible explorer's guide'' by John Phillips 20 ...

. It is often sung to the tune of ''Saint Peter'' by Alexander Reinagle and less frequently to ''Ortonville'' by Thomas Hastings. A modern alternative tune is ''Rachel'' by Chris Bowater.

Text

1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds,
and drives away his fear. 2 It makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast;
'tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest. 3 Dear Name! the Rock on which I build;
my shield and hiding-place;
My never-failing treasury, fill'd
with boundless stores of grace, 4 By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
although with sin defil'd;
Satan accuses me in vain,
and I am own'd a child. 5 Jesus, my Savior, Shepherd, Friend,
my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring. 6 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, 7 Till then I would Thy love proclaim
with every fleeting breath;
and may the music of Thy name
refresh my soul in death.

References

External links

{{wikisource, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
Hymnary.org - How Sweet the Name of Jesus SoundsHymnal.net - How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
Hymns by John Newton 18th-century hymns