‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Louisa was just a young woman when she moved from England to America. She arrived in Ohio at the age of 21. She was soon married and the Stead family was raising a young girl, Lily.

When Lily was just four years old, the family went on a picnic by the seaside in New York. During the outing, they heard the drowning cries of a young boy away from the shore. Mr. Stead never hesitated as he rushed to save the boy. Unfortunately, the sea was too much and they both lost their lives.

The burden of single motherhood was difficult for Louisa. As she struggled with the loss of her husband she also had to deal with the fact that she often could not afford food for her and her daughter. She was forced to rely on her faith in Jesus to survive.

Many times, the two would face an empty table at dinnertime, but a neighbor would show up with a basket of food or a fellow church member would bring a meal for them. Trusting in Jesus became a way of life. Louisa began to put those words to paper and soon, she had a hymn.

It was a simple poem about Jesus. It wasn’t a theology textbook, nor was it a polished sermon about the nuances of scripture. It was a simple love poem to Jesus, praising Him for His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.

In 1882, William J. Kirkpatrick put her lyrics to a tune and the classic hymn was born. It is sung worldwide, today, including in Rhodesia where Louisa and Lily both eventually served as missionaries. Here are the lyrics to:

‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1 - ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

and to take him at his word;

just to rest upon his promise,

and to know, "Thus saith 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!

2 - 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]

3 - 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]