How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

The Heidelberg Catechism explores the meaning of the name Jesus, in Q/A 10, and reminds us why Joseph was ordered to give Mary’s new-born son that name.  He would save His people from their sins.  Jesus is our Saviour, our redeemer, our master, and our friend.

To the ungodly world, the name of a Jesus is little more than a blasphemy, another oath in the lexicon of sinfulness.

For the believer in Christ, the wonder and the delight of hearing that precious name is summed up in the poetry of John Newtown:

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.

Dear Name, the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace!

By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.

Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death!