Amazing Grace: 366 Hymn Stories

June 30

WHY DO I SING ABOUT JESUS?
Words and Music by Albert A. Ketchum, 1894–?
Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing to the glory of His name; offer Him glory and praise! (Psalm 66:1, 2)
Fill me with gladness from above,
Hold me by strength divine;
Lord, let the glow of your great love
Through my whole being shine.
—Unknown
The Christian life was meant to be a joyous experience. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate our inner joy is to carry a song upon our lips throughout our daily activities. It was my father who first taught me this truth. As a painter-decorator, Dad became known to his many customers as the “singing painter.” Singing his favorite hymns while he worked became his natural way of life. At his funeral, many of his customers, both believers and nonbelievers, told me of the impact my father had upon them as they observed his cheerful attitude while he worked.
It is important that we carry a song of the Lord with us. The world needs to see and hear the story of Jesus and His love. And the song that we carry on the inside will be reflected on our countenance. An inner song and a cheerful countenance are always the result of a life that is enjoying an intimate daily fellowship with our Lord and Savior—the One who sets us free!
Albert Ketchum, the author and composer of “Why Do I Sing About Jesus?”, wrote this song while a student at the Moody Bible Institute during the early 1920’s. The song first appeared in Gospel Truth in Song, published in 1922. It provides believers a fine vehicle for a musical testimony about their Lord:
Deep in my heart there’s a gladness—Jesus has saved me from sin! Praise to His name, what a Savior! Cleansing without and within!
Only a glimpse of His goodness; that was sufficient for me; only one look at the Savior, then was my spirit set free.
He is the fairest of fair ones. He is the lily, the rose; rivers of mercy surround Him; grace, love, and pity He shows.
Chorus: Why do I sing about Jesus? Why is He precious to me? He is my Lord and my Savior: Dying, He set me free!

    For Today: Psalm 32:7; 40:3; 66:16; Proverbs 15:13; Philippians 2:5–11; 1 Peter 2:7

Determine to allow the warmth of God’s love to be reflected in all of your activities. Carry this musical testimony with you as you seek to be a witness for Christ even in your working attitudes—