This is hymn 61 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
HYMN 61: TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS WITH YOU
1. Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe.
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where’er you go.
Chorus:
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
2. Take the name of Jesus ever
As a shield from evr’y snare;
If temptations ’round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer.
3. Oh, the precious name of Jesus,
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!
4. At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet
King of kings, in heaven we’ll crown Him
When our journey is complete.
TAKE THE NAME OF JESUS WITH YOU HYMN COMMENTARY
Beloved in Christ, this warm and encouraging hymn, “Take the Name of Jesus With You,” is a practical guide for the daily walk of the believer. It presents the name of Jesus not as a mere theological title, but as a living source of comfort, a weapon against evil, a wellspring of joy, and the focus of our eternal worship. It is a hymn for the journey, reminding us that we are never alone or defenseless when we consciously carry the name of our Savior with us.
Why Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to remind ourselves of the abiding presence and power available to us in the name of Jesus, to equip us for daily spiritual battles, and to cultivate a heart that finds its deepest hope and joy in Him alone. It is a hymn for the burdened, the tempted, and the worshipful heart.
1. It is a Hymn for the Sorrowful and Weary (Verse 1)
The hymn speaks directly to the “Child of sorrow and of woe.” It acknowledges the reality of our grief and pain in this fallen world. The prescription is simple yet profound: “Take the name of Jesus with you.” His name is not a magic charm, but a reminder of His person, promise, and presence. It is a portable source of “joy and comfort” because it signifies that the Comforter Himself is with us “where’er you go.” In every changing scene, His unchanging name is our constant.
2. It is a Hymn for Spiritual Warfare (Verse 2)
The name of Jesus is also our spiritual armor. We are to take it “ever as a shield from ev’ry snare.”When “temptations ’round you gather,” the most powerful recourse is not merely willpower, but prayerful invocation: “Breathe that holy name in prayer.” To speak His name in the face of temptation is to assert His authority over the enemy, to claim His victory, and to seek His delivering power. It is the practical outworking of the truth that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower” (Proverbs 18:10).
3. It is a Hymn of Thrilling Joy and Loving Embrace (Verse 3)
This verse captures the intimate, emotional joy of our relationship with Christ. The very thought of His “precious name” thrills the soul because of what it represents: His “loving arms” that receive us. Our salvation is not a cold transaction but a warm embrace. The result is that “His songs our tongues employ”—our worship is a joyful echo of the song He has put in our hearts. His name is sweet because it is the name of our Beloved.
4. It is a Hymn of Present Reverence and Future Coronation (Verse 4)
The hymn culminates in the ultimate response to His name: worship. “At the name of Jesus bowing, Falling prostrate at His feet” reflects the truth of Philippians 2:10-11—that every knee will bow. We are to practice this reverence now. This earthly journey of carrying His name leads to a heavenly climax: “King of kings, in heaven we’ll crown Him When our journey is complete.” Our lives are a pilgrimage that ends in the glorious act of crowning Jesus as our all in all.
The Chorus: The Heart’s Sweet Refrain
The chorus is a burst of adoration. “Precious name, O how sweet!” is the spontaneous cry of one who has experienced its comfort and power. It declares His name to be the “hope of earth” for our present struggles and the “joy of heaven” for our eternal destiny. The repetition emphasizes its surpassing sweetness above every other name.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Are you carrying a burden of sorrow or facing a snare of temptation? Do you need comfort for today and hope for tomorrow?
This hymn gives you a tangible practice. Consciously take the name of Jesus with you into your day. Speak it in your quiet moments. Whisper it as a prayer when anxiety strikes. Cry it out as a shield when temptation burns. Let it be the first thought in the morning and the last at night.
Remember, you are not carrying a slogan, but the name of a Person—your loving Savior, your mighty King, your coming Joy. Let that name be your comfort, your shield, and your song until the day you see Him face to face and crown Him Lord of all.
Precious name, O how sweet!
In the mighty and comforting name of Jesus, Amen.
Leave a Reply