I Must Tell Jesus

• Psalm 18:1-21
  (hymns)
• Psalm 34:2-17
  (hymns)
• Matthew 11:28-30
  (hymns)
• Matthew 14:12
  (hymns)
• John 8:12
  (hymns)
• Romans 12:2
  (hymns)
• 1 Corinthians 15:57
  (hymns)
• Ephesians 4:6
  (hymns)
• Philippians 4:6
  (hymns)
• Hebrews 2
  (hymns)
• Hebrews 4:15-16
  (hymns)
• James 1:13-14
  (hymns)
• 1 Peter 5:7
  (hymns)

• Year B, Holy Week season, Wednesday of Holy Week
• Year C, Ordinary Time, Thanksgiving Day

Text:

The text for this hymn was written in 1894 by Elisha A. Hoffman. Hoffman was a Presbyterian minister who composed over 2000 hymns during his lifetime—most of these hymns being produced over the 33 years that Hoffman served as pastor at Benton Harbor Presbyterian Church. For the majority of his hymns, Hoffman also composed the music. One of his most famous hymns, “I Must Tell Jesus,” reminds the listener that there is always a person we can place our cares upon—Jesus Christ. It is a reminder so powerful that it has endured the test of time through hundreds of hymnals.

Tune:

Hoffman also wrote the tune ORWIGSBURG specifically for his text “I Must Tell Jesus.” The title of the tune comes from the borough of Orwigsburg in Pennsylvania where Hoffman was born. Hoffman’s musical talents and abilities were no doubt advanced by his family growing up, who not only worshipped in church every Sunday (his father was a minister as well), but also held daily family worship time. Although he never received formal music training in school, he was naturally gifted.

When/Why/How:

This hymn can be sung at any point across the year, but especially at times of turmoil in the Church or in the world. This song must be sung slowly enough to focus on the power of the words being sung.

Suggested Music:

• “8 Anthems for about 12 Singers” has a nice choral arrangement.
• “Touched by Jazz” has a lovely jazz scoring for piano.

Luke Getz
Hymnary.org

FlexScores are available in the Media section below.