Jesus Is All the World to Me Lyrics Will L. Thompson, 1904
4 verses, public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 1. Jesus is all the world to me,
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
Without him I would fall.
When I am sad, to him I go,
No other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad he makes me glad,
He’s my Friend.
Verse 2. Jesus is all the world to me,
My Friend in trials sore;
I go to him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He’s my Friend.
Verse 3. Jesus is all the world to me,
And true to him I’ll be;
Oh, how could I this Friend deny,
When he’s so true to me?
Following him I know I’m right,
He watches o’er me day and night;
Following him, by day and night,
He’s my Friend.
Verse 4. Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better friend;
I trust him now, I’ll trust him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend;
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my Friend.
Words copied from New Baptist Hymnal (1926). They were published in 1904, so they are in the public domain in the United States, and your church may print them, show them and sing them without a license.
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The story behind Jesus Is All the World to Me
Will Thompson wrote both the words and the music of this hymn and printed it in 1904 in a collection he prepared himself. He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1847, and his father served two terms in the Ohio legislature. He studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music and in Leipzig. Publishers of his day turned down his songs, so he started his own company, Will L. Thompson and Co., with offices in East Liverpool and Chicago. The firm sold instruments as well as music, and he earned a sizable income from it. Kenneth Osbeck described him as a kind, quiet and unassuming Christian gentleman. Thompson wrote Softly and Tenderly, which appeared in 1880, and Hymnary.org lists many more texts under his name. This hymn has four stanzas. Hymnary.org gives the tune the name ELIZABETH, and some hymnals list it under the hymn's own title or as ALL THE WORLD. The words point to Philippians 1:21 in the Baptist Hymnal 1991, where the hymn is number 184 in A flat. The Baptist Hymnal 2008 prints it as number 475 in G. Hymnary.org lists the hymn in about 390 hymnals, and a Spanish version exists under the title Cristo es mi dulce Salvador.
Will L. Thompson
1847-11-07 to 1909-09-20
Will Lamartine Thompson was born in East Liverpool, Ohio. He wrote both words and music. A commercial publisher turned down his early songs, so he started his own company, Will L. Thompson and Co., which grew to include a store selling pianos, organs and sheet music. Softly and Tenderly appeared in Sparkling Gems in 1880. Hymnary.org lists 95 of his texts, including Jesus Is All the World to Me and There's a Great Day Coming. He became ill on a tour of Europe, came home, and died in New York a few weeks later. He is buried in East Liverpool.
Will L. Thompson
1847-11-07 to 1909-09-20
Will Lamartine Thompson was born in East Liverpool, Ohio. He wrote both words and music. A commercial publisher turned down his early songs, so he started his own company, Will L. Thompson and Co., which grew to include a store selling pianos, organs and sheet music. Softly and Tenderly appeared in Sparkling Gems in 1880. Hymnary.org lists 95 of his texts, including Jesus Is All the World to Me and There's a Great Day Coming. He became ill on a tour of Europe, came home, and died in New York a few weeks later. He is buried in East Liverpool.
- Discipleship Ministries, History of Hymns, Jesus Is All the World to Me , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org, Jesus Is All the World to Me , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org, Baptist Hymnal 1991 No. 184 , read 2026-10-16
Scripture in Jesus Is All the World to Me
The Bible passages behind the words, with the verse of the hymn that draws on each.
- Philippians 1:21 In verse 21 of the hymn
- Proverbs 18:24 In verse 24 of the hymn
- John 15:13-15
- Psalm 5:7 In verse 7 of the hymn
Jesus Is All the World to Me videos
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Jesus Is All The World To Me • Congregational Daniel Baptist, Congregation
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Jesus Is All The World To Me Courthouse Road Church (CRC), Congregation
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Jesus Is All the World to Me Acapeldridge, A cappella
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Jesus is All the World to Me - piano instrumental hymn with lyrics Kaleb Brasee, Piano
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Jesus is All The World to Me ~ Mercy's Well ~ lyric video Easy Worship Resources, Modern arrangement
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Print and project
Chords and keys
Hymnals print it in A♭.
Questions people ask
Who wrote Jesus Is All the World to Me?
Will Thompson wrote both words and music. He first printed it in 1904 in a collection he prepared himself.
What tune is Jesus Is All the World to Me sung to?
The tune is ELIZABETH, also written by Thompson. Some hymnals list it as ALL THE WORLD.
What Bible verse is Jesus Is All the World to Me based on?
The Baptist Hymnal 1991 lists Philippians 1:21. Hymnary.org also points to Proverbs 18:24 and John 15:13-15.
Is Jesus Is All the World to Me in the public domain?
The words are public domain in the United States. Thompson published the hymn in 1904, and the tune ELIZABETH is from the same year.
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