The Name of Jesus: Personal and Powerful, with 10 Jesus Songs
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. -Philippians 2:10
This phrase appears eleven times in the KJV all connected to His other names, Lord and Christ. The three names give us the Son of God in His fullness.
"Jesus" is His personal name, unique to the Son of God as the son of man.
This is what the angels called Him. One told Joseph to call his name JESUS because He would save us from sin. Matthew 1: 21.
The angel Gabriel told Mary He would be called JESUS because He was the Son of God. Luke 1:31-32
This is what Mary and Joseph called Him, His brothers, and sisters too. It was a common name, meaning “Savior,” and is equivalent to “Joshua” in the Old Testament.
The word “Jesus” appears 983 times in the King James Bible mostly in narration.
This is what the demons called Him.
This is what He calls Himself: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: Acts 9:5 and I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16
It is His personal name, like my first name “Ken,” or my daughter’s “Trish,” the name everyone calls us and knows us by.
It bespeaks a personal knowledge of Him, especially when used in personal address. We would not call the president, governor, or bishop by his or her first name without committing a serious social faux pas.
I grew up in a small Pentecostal church where we spoke of Jesus often, using that personal name familiarly because we knew Him, loved Him, and knew He loved us. Every church I have belonged to since has used His name personally, reverently but familiarly. This week, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church bulletin used the name “Jesus” 20 times and spoke it many times more.
Six months ago, I moved to a Presbyterian retirement community and attended the weekly Bible studies. I was disappointed that the leader never mentioned Jesus but was told the chaplain serves all faiths and must be sensitive to their different cultures.
As I researched this issue, I found an excellent article on why so many worship songs leave out Jesus’ name. The author cited these points:
• Using the name of Jesus “makes people uneasy.”
• The name of Jesus instantly brings conviction of sin.
• Are we ashamed of Him? The author hopes not.
• Radio stations won’t play songs with Jesus’ name.
He goes on to give reasons we should use His name:
• Demons tremble at the Name of Jesus.
SPEAKING THE NAME OF JESUS IS LIKE TURNING UP THE SPIRITUAL INTENSITY. EVIL SPIRITS SIMPLY CANNOT BEAR THE SOUND OF IT.
• His name brings another level of power.
• Speaking His name brings salvation (Romans 10:9).
• Jesus promises to give us ANYTHING we ask in His name. (John 14:14)
I would add that calling His name brings His presence. That presence is available to us now and always. Here are 10 examples of songs that use the name of Jesus, from the 11th century to the 21st. Read them, or better still SING them and enjoy His presence and personality:
The first and oldest of these songs is foundational in showing the power and sweetness the name of Jesus brings to our thought life and His presence to our spirit:
Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills the breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest. - Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090 – 1153
Our personal experience of the name of Jesus is enhanced by our understanding of His power and authority:
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more. - Isaac Watts, 1719
Most of us believe steadfastly in Jesus’ goodness and power. But sometimes ask, will He use that goodness and power for me? Here is a simple assertion that He will:
I know not what may soon betide,
Or how my wants shall be supplied;
But Jesus knows, and will provide. -- John Newton, 1771
Beyond our daily needs and circumstances lie the terrors of disaster and death. Jesus’ love for us covers these as well:
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high;
hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last! - - Charles Wesley, 1740
It was the prayer for a dying child that inspired this next beloved song. Everyone knows this simple song that encompasses all essential theology and gives comfort and assurance:
Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so:
Little ones to him belong, —
They are weak, but he is strong. - Anna Bartlett Warner, 1859
Combining love, theology, and sacrament is this intimate communion plea:
Come with us, O blessèd Jesus,
With us evermore to be;
And though leaving now thine altar,
Let us nevermore leave thee
Be thou one with us for ever,
In our life thy love divine
Our own flesh and blood has taken,
And to us thou givest thine. -- John Henry Hopkins, 1870
What a holy honor it is to bow as we take the Lord’s Supper. Our bowing here presents a powerful example of the ultimate power of Jesus’ name when every knee shall bow:
At the name of Jesus
ev'ry knee shall bow,
ev'ry tongue confess him
King of glory now; - Caroline M. Noel (1870)
Listen to this here, or sing along
In the 20th century, Jesus confirmed His love for us in the great Pentecostal revival, pouring out the Holy Spirit and assuring us He is with us in our daily lives:
Jesus will walk with me,
He will talk with me;
He will walk with me;
In joy or in sorrow, today and tomorrow,
I know He will walk with me. -Haldor Lillenas, 1922
Jesus’ friendship has become a frequent theme of contemporary Christian songs. One song about the name of Jesus reflects the same thoughts of Bernard’s foundational hymn at the top of our list in modern language and tempo:
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name,
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know. --Lela B. Long, 1925
Praise God, some popular artists are not afraid to use the name of Jesus, even if it means rejection by radio stations. Here is our last song, standing up for Jesus and affirming His love, power, and glory:
Never underestimate my Jesus
You're tellin' me that there's no hope
I'm tellin' you, you're wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
When the world around you crumbles
He will be strong, He will be strong. --- Reliant K, 2001
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