The story behind the hymn
Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739 to mark the first anniversary of his conversion. It was published the next year in Hymns and Sacred Poems, compiled by Charles and his brother John. The original ran to eighteen stanzas, and the version we sing draws on parts of it.
The title phrase came from Peter Böhler, a Moravian who told Wesley that if he had a thousand tongues he would praise Christ with every one. Böhler was quoting an older German hymn.
The tune most often used in the United States, AZMON, was adapted by Lowell Mason from a melody by Carl Gläser written in 1828. In Britain, other tunes such as RICHMOND and LYNGHAM are common.
The Scripture behind it
Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:3 (World English Bible)
A short reflection
Wesley sang as someone who remembered what Christ had done for him. Gratitude grows when we name our own story. Try writing down three ways God has met you, then praise him for each.
Lord, I have one tongue and a thousand reasons. Receive my praise today. Amen.
The full words
Read the full words of this hymn, with tunes and scores, on Hymnary.org.
Read the full hymn text →Source for author, dates and public-domain status: Hymnary.org. Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).