Quick Answer
Count Your Blessings is a traditional Christian gospel hymn written by Johnson Oatman Jr. in 1897, with music by Edwin O. Excell. Its message encourages believers to remember God’s blessings, practice gratitude, and maintain faith during life’s difficulties.
Sometimes, life becomes so busy that we forget to appreciate the good things already around us. We focus on our worries, challenges, and unanswered prayers without taking a moment to recognize how much we have been given. That’s why the timeless hymn Count Your Blessings continues to inspire people across generations.
Written by Johnson Oatman Jr. and set to music by Edwin O. Excell, this beloved Christian hymn encourages listeners to remember God’s goodness, especially during difficult times. Its central message is simple: instead of focusing only on problems, take time to recognize and appreciate your blessings.
Whether you’re searching for Count Your Blessings lyrics to sing at church, understand the hymn’s meaning, share its message with family, or find encouragement during a challenging season, this guide explores its words, history, and spiritual lessons.
Count Your Blessings Lyrics
The traditional hymn Count Your Blessings contains four verses and a memorable chorus. The words encourage Christians to remember God’s goodness when they experience discouragement, worry, comparison, or personal struggles.
The following is the classic 1897 hymn text, which is in the public domain in the United States.
Verse 1
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Chorus
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
Verse 2
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Chorus
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
Verse 3
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Chorus
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
Verse 4
So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Final Chorus
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
About the Hymn Count Your Blessings
Count Your Blessings is a well-known Christian gospel hymn that teaches the importance of gratitude and remembering God’s goodness.
It was first published in 1897 in a collection called Songs for Young People. The hymn became popular in churches and Christian communities because its message is easy to understand and meaningful in everyday life.
Rather than suggesting that life will always be easy, the hymn reminds believers that faith and gratitude can provide encouragement during difficult moments.
- Hymn title: Count Your Blessings
- Lyricist: Johnson Oatman Jr.
- Composer: Edwin O. Excell
- Publication year: 1897
- Genre: Christian gospel hymn
- Main themes: Gratitude, faith, hope, and God’s goodness
- Structure: Four verses and a recurring chorus
Who Wrote Count Your Blessings?
The words of Count Your Blessings were written by Johnson Oatman Jr., an American hymn writer known for creating thousands of Christian hymn texts.
Edwin O. Excell composed the music, giving the words a memorable melody that helped the hymn become widely recognized.
Their collaboration created a song that has remained meaningful in Christian worship for generations.
- Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote the hymn’s words.
- Edwin O. Excell created its music.
- The hymn first appeared in 1897.
- Its message centers on gratitude and faith.
Meaning of Count Your Blessings
The main meaning of Count Your Blessings is to recognize the good things God has provided instead of allowing difficulties to control your thoughts.
The hymn encourages people to pause and remember their blessings, even when life feels overwhelming.
Its message can be understood through four important ideas:
- Gratitude: Appreciate what you already have.
- Faith: Trust God during uncertain times.
- Hope: Remember that difficult moments do not define your entire life.
- Contentment: Avoid comparing your blessings with someone else’s possessions.
The hymn doesn’t suggest ignoring pain or pretending problems don’t exist. Instead, it encourages believers to maintain perspective and remember the goodness they have experienced.
Spiritual Lessons From the Hymn
The hymn offers several meaningful lessons that Christians can apply to everyday life.
- Remember God’s goodness: Reflect on the blessings you have received.
- Stay faithful: Keep trusting God during challenging situations.
- Avoid comparison: Appreciate your own journey instead of measuring it against others.
- Practice gratitude: Give thanks for both big and small blessings.
- Find encouragement: Let faith give you strength when life becomes difficult.
- Remain hopeful: Don’t allow temporary struggles to take away your hope.
Why Count Your Blessings Is Still Popular
Even though the hymn was written more than a century ago, its message remains relevant.
People continue to connect with it because gratitude, faith, and encouragement are important in every generation.
- Simple message: Its words are easy to understand.
- Memorable chorus: The repeated message makes it easy to sing.
- Relatable struggles: It addresses worry, discouragement, and comparison.
- Faith-centered message: It reminds Christians of God’s care.
- Church tradition: It has appeared in many hymn collections.
- Timeless lesson: Gratitude remains meaningful regardless of age.
When to Sing Count Your Blessings
This hymn can be appropriate for different Christian gatherings and personal moments of reflection.
- Sunday worship: Include it in traditional church services.
- Thanksgiving services: Celebrate gratitude and God’s goodness.
- Prayer meetings: Use its message to encourage faith.
- Family devotion: Sing it together during family worship.
- Personal reflection: Listen to it when you need encouragement.
- Church gatherings: Share its message during fellowship meetings.
- Difficult seasons: Use its message as a reminder to remain hopeful.
Count Your Blessings Quotes and Messages
If you love the message of this hymn, these original inspirational lines can help you share its theme with others.
- Be grateful for today’s blessings and hopeful for tomorrow.
- A thankful heart can find beauty in ordinary moments.
- Never let your worries make you forget your blessings.
- God’s goodness deserves to be remembered every day.
- Gratitude turns small moments into meaningful memories.
- Appreciate what you have while trusting God for what comes next.
- Every new morning brings another reason to give thanks.
- Faith helps you see hope even during difficult seasons.
- Count your blessings, not your troubles.
- A grateful heart always has a reason to praise God.
How to Practice Gratitude Every Day
The hymn’s message becomes more meaningful when you put it into practice.
You don’t need a complicated routine. Small daily habits can help you become more aware of the good things in your life.
- Start with prayer: Thank God for another day.
- Keep a gratitude journal: Write down three things you appreciate.
- Appreciate people: Express gratitude to family and friends.
- Notice small moments: Enjoy simple things like a peaceful morning.
- Avoid comparison: Focus on your own blessings and progress.
- End with reflection: Remember something good that happened during your day.
Tables
Count Your Blessings Hymn Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Count Your Blessings |
| Written by | Johnson Oatman Jr. |
| Music by | Edwin O. Excell |
| Year | 1897 |
| Genre | Gospel hymn |
| Main message | Gratitude and faith |
| Verses | Four |
| Chorus | Repeated after verses |
Main Themes in Count Your Blessings
| Theme | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gratitude | Appreciate life’s gifts |
| Faith | Trust in God’s guidance |
| Hope | Stay encouraged |
| Contentment | Avoid unhealthy comparison |
| Worship | Give thanks to God |
| Strength | Face difficulties with courage |
FAQs
1. Who wrote Count Your Blessings lyrics?
Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote the lyrics of the Christian hymn Count Your Blessings. Edwin O. Excell composed its music, and the hymn was first published in 1897.
2. What is the main message of Count Your Blessings?
The main message is to remember and appreciate God’s goodness, especially during difficult times. It encourages Christians to focus on gratitude, faith, and hope rather than becoming overwhelmed by problems.
3. When was Count Your Blessings written?
The hymn was first published in 1897 in the collection Songs for Young People.
4. Who composed the music for Count Your Blessings?
Edwin O. Excell composed the music for the hymn, while Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote its words.
5. How many verses are in Count Your Blessings?
The traditional version contains four verses and a recurring chorus. The chorus is repeated after each verse.
Conclusion
Count Your Blessings is more than a traditional Christian hymn. It is a beautiful reminder to appreciate God’s goodness, remain hopeful during difficult seasons, and recognize the blessings that are already part of our lives.
Written by Johnson Oatman Jr. and composed by Edwin O. Excell, this timeless hymn continues to encourage Christians through its meaningful message of faith and gratitude.
Whether you sing it during church worship, listen to it at home, or reflect on its words during prayer, its message is worth remembering: take time to appreciate your blessings and never lose sight of God’s goodness.
Share this hymn with someone who needs encouragement, and let its message inspire a more grateful heart.
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