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. 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. 3. Jesus is all the world to me, And true to Him I'll be; O, 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. 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.
Lyrics:
Will Lamartine Thompson
Music:
Will Lamartine Thompson
Tune: ELIZABETH
Meter: Irregular meter
Words and Music by Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909
The author and composer of this hymn, Will L. Thompson, was known as the “Bard of Ohio” for his respected musical talents. He wrote many successful secular and sacred songs and he edited and published numerous collections. But it is said of him that his greatest joy was writing and performing simple gospel songs about his Lord. He has provided Christian hymnody with two such enduring songs that have been mightily used by God: A testimony song for Christians, “Jesus Is All the World to Me,” and an invitation song that has been influential in directing non-Christians to the Savior, “Softy and Tenderly.”
The words of this hymn by Will Thompson, published in his hymnal collection of 1904, have since been widely used by believers to express devotion to Christ and dependency upon Him for all of life’s needs: