Count your blessings one by one!

Details about this song writer: The hymn called :“Count your blessings one by on”, was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897. He was born in 1856 and died in1922. His father, Johnson Oatman, Sr., a prominent businessman in the small town of Lumbertown, New Jersey, was a well-known singer in Christian circles.

Johnson Jr. worked in his father’s business. In fact, it seemed he lived in his father’s shadow all his life… even carrying his father’s name. Young Johnson could not sing as well as his father.

He eventually became an ordained Methodist minister and often preached in the small churches in the area. He also sang in those small churches, but he never could never sing like his father sang. Yet he grew up wanting to make some musical contributions of his own. 

When Johnson Jr. was 36-years-old, he counted his blessings… and discovered a talent he never realized he had. He could write songs! For the next 3 decades he wrote 4 or 5 new gospel songs each week! So, every year some 200 songs flowed from his pen. He eventually had written 5,000 songs and was happy that in his musical compositions he had found a way to “preach the Gospel.” 

He didn’t want money for his hymns, but his publisher, Edwin Excell insisted… so Johnson Jr. agreed to accept $1 per song.

Johnson Oatman was a humble man but that never stopped him for knowing how many blessings the Lord sent his way. 

Read the words of this song and then take the time to count your blessings one by one.

Be grateful and always remember what the Lord has done for you.

All of you have talents and qualities, just let the Lord develop them. 
Let Him work in you and through you.  Do not place any limits on what the Lord can do for you and through you.  
Then, do not be surprised at 
what the Lord will do.

Count your blessings… name them one by one.

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.

Refrain:
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.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

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.  (Refrain)

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.  (Refrain)

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.  (Refrain)

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.

Repeat:

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!

You can listen to this song on YouTube. It may not be the type of music that we sing today, but if you read the words carefully, it is really a beautiful worship song.

Take care everyone!

Denise

Picture of Johnson Oatman Jr.