“'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” A Hymn Penned Out of Tragedy
Not everyone enjoys acrostics, but then again, they are helpful when needing a simple definition for the meaning of a word. For example, the acrostic for "grace" is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. "Faith’" is Forsaking All I Trust Him. But what about the word "trust?" Here is a suggestion: it could be Totally Relying Upon my Savior Today or Totally Relying Upon my Savior’s Truth. This idea is a central theme of the hymn "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus." The words of the hymn are all about depending upon Jesus, His words of truth for today.
Who Wrote “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus?”
Louisa (Louise) Maria Rouse Stead Wodehouse penned the words to this song after the tragic death of her first husband, George Stead.
Born on February 1, 1846, in Dover, Kent, her registered name was Louisa Maria Rouse, but you will also find her name as Louise Rouse or L. M. R. She grew up in England and served as a governess before emigrating to the United States around 1871. She made Cincinnati, Ohio, her home.
As a teenager, she felt called to be a missionary and wanted to go to China, but she couldn’t because of her frail health. That desire was intensified when she attended a camp meeting in Urbana, Ohio. It wasn’t God’s timing nor His destination. Eventually, she would see God leading her to another country.
George Stead from Hempstead, Long Island, and Louisa Rouse were married in September 1873 at St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church in Cincinnati. They moved to Hempstead and had a daughter, Lily.
This is where records and research will give you several scenarios regarding the accident that occurred in 1876. From Hymntime, an article from The Brooklyn Union (May 31, 1876, p. 2) states:
"George Stead, a painter of Hempstead, was yesterday painting a boat at the bay, having with him his little boy. The boy accidentally got into the water, and the father, fearing he would be drowned, went in after him, and getting beyond his depth was himself drowned while the boy was saved."
Some researchers state this was (William) George Stead’s son from a previous marriage. The primary opinion is that it was an unknown young man from the area.
Regardless of the exact details, it was a tragic day on Long Island Sound as Louisa watched her husband of a few short years lose his life trying to save the life of another. Out of the depths of her grief, she turned to the One who could see her through the unknown days ahead. She trusted in her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Louisa Stead sought God’s comfort and hope, poured her heart out through tears and prayers, and eventually penned the words to the well-known hymn, "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus." And like so many others, as the days turned into years, by grace, she learned to trust Him more.
What Are the Lyrics to "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus?”
Now that you know the story behind this great hymn, take a moment to listen and even sing along with musicians Caleb and Kelsey as they sing “'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”
1) ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to take Him at His Word;
just to rest upon His promise;
just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.” (Refrain)
2) O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
‘neath the healing, cleansing flood! (Refrain)
3) Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace. (Refrain)
4) I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end. (Refrain)
(Refrain) Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more.
The tune for the hymn is written in the key of A-flat major by composer William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921). He was a well-known Methodist gospel hymn writer with extensive music training, playing several instruments at an early age. He published music collections, selling millions of copies. We don’t know precisely how the lyrics of “'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” got to Kirkpatrick, but probably through the network of the Methodist church.
An article by Dan Graves with the Christian History Institute points out that Kirkpatrick’s “studies of composition enabled him to make his music fit fluidly to lyrics.” He also wrote the tunes to “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It,” “Jesus Saves,” and “Lord, I’m Coming Home.”
"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" was not Louisa Stead’s first hymn. “Precious Saviour, Thou Hast Saved Me” was an earlier hymn she wrote and published in 1873.
What Is the Biblical Context of “'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus?”
How often have you and I read a passage of Scripture or sung a familiar hymn out of repetition instead of pondering the words and asking the Lord for fresh insight? How often have you sung "'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus” but never really meditated upon the words?
The words of this hymn hold profound, wonderful biblical truths. First, there is the emphasis on depending upon the Scriptures (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Louisa Stead had to have written from first-hand experience. She knew she could trust God’s Word and rest in His promises— “Just to know Thus saith the Lord.”
Why can Louisa, you, and I trust in Jesus? Because of His cleansing blood shed at Calvary for our sins (John 3:16). It’s by simple faith that we place our trust in Him, our redeemer.
If you had been the writer of this hymn, would you have used the word “sweet” to describe what it’s like to trust Jesus? The metaphor “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103, Psalm 19:10) describes God’s Word. Also associated with sweet is God’s great love and the joy of His presence (John 15:9, 12-15). In other words, the title could read, "‘Tis So Loving to Trust in Jesus.’" Because He loves you and me, we can trust Him. Our willingness to trust demonstrates our love for Him.
Notice the progression with each stanza: “‘Tis so sweet to trust, O how sweet to trust, Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust, and then I’m so glad I learned to trust.” Louisa Stead learned to trust the One who is the “Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend.” Something precious is valuable. Saviour means Jesus is our redeemer and rescuer. He is the only friend we can trust one hundred percent. He is always accessible and promises never to leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” in a Foreign Land
Louisa M.R. Stead’s desire to serve as a missionary came to fruition around 1880 when she and her daughter, Lily, went to South Africa. She served for almost 15 years. She did remarry in January 1882, to Robert Wodehouse. The family returned to America in 1895 when her health declined.
In 1901, after recovering, the family returned to the mission field, this time in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and lived near Mutambara mission station. She passed on January 18, 1917, in Penkridge, Zimbabwe, and was buried there. Her daughter, Lily, married David Carson and followed her mother’s legacy as a life-long missionary. The tribe she served in Zimbabwe sang this hymn at her funeral.
How Does This Hymn Continue to Inspire Christians Going through Trials?
Someone has said a person is either coming out of a trial, going through a trial, or about to enter one. We don’t know what a day will hold, but as a Christ-follower we know that God is Sovereign and He knows and cares about what we are going through. Trusting Him through those trials is another story.
Scripture and singing great theology are two things that can help us through those tough times. Singing “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” helps us to remember that we can trust a loving God who is there with us through the trials. His grace gives us the courage to trust Him, and because of the ways He has seen us through the trials in the past, we can stand fast in our confidence that He is more than able to see us through.
When those trials come, remember and memorize the following verses:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lead not unto your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)
I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:5-6)
May we be able to say with Louisa M. R. Stead that "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus."
Photo Credit: Unsplash/thenata
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over sixty-five, and living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitalit-tea, encourages, and helps others with the ‘how-to’s’ of life. To sign up for her newsletter, connect with her at http://lauraleeleathers.com - - - “Helping You Flourish in Faith & Finish Well by His Word”
Originally published February 17, 2025.
