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Hark! The Gentle Voice of Jesus
Calleth
Hymn by Horatio R. Palmer
Introduction
“Hark! The Gentle Voice of Jesus
Calleth” is a tender and pleading invitation from the Savior to every
soul weary with sin, sorrow, and struggle. Written by Horatio R. Palmer,
this hymn captures the compassionate and merciful nature of our Lord. It
echoes His call in Matthew 11:28–30: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus does not call with
thunder and force, but with gentleness, love, and understanding.
This hymn reminds us that no matter
the burdens we bear or the sins we’ve committed, Jesus still calls us to
Him. He does not drive us away—He draws us near. Each stanza presents a
different aspect of that call: an invitation to come, a promise of
pardon, and a call to obedience. The chorus is a repeated encouragement
to lay down our burdens and receive rest for our souls.
In a world of harsh voices and
broken promises, this hymn stands out as a melody of hope and comfort.
It reminds us that we serve a Savior who truly understands our needs.
His call is not just to be heard but to be answered. The greatest
tragedy is to ignore the voice of Jesus. The greatest joy is to obey it.
Let us listen carefully, respond sincerely, and follow faithfully, for
in doing so, we will find the rest and peace our souls long for.
Stanza 1: “Hark! the gentle voice
of Jesus calleth, Tenderly upon your ear; Sweet His cry of love and pity
calleth, Turn and listen, stay and hear.”
Jesus speaks gently—He does not
demand, but lovingly invites. His voice is not like the noise of the
world—it is sweet and full of pity. This first stanza reflects the heart
of Jesus as described in Matthew 11:28, where He says, “Come unto Me,
all ye that labour and are heavy laden.” His call reaches to those who
are overwhelmed, not with condemnation, but with comfort. He calls us to
listen—not just hear, but truly listen with intent to respond. “Turn and
listen” implies repentance—a change in direction prompted by hearing His
loving invitation. Isaiah 55:3 echoes this: “Incline your ear, and come
unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live.”
Chorus: “Heed the call of love;
Ye that labor and are heavy laden, Lean upon your dear Lord’s breast; Ye
that labor and are heavy laden, Come, and I will give you rest.”
The chorus is the soul of this
hymn—a direct reflection of Matthew 11:28–30. Jesus offers rest, not
through worldly solutions but by inviting us to lean on Him. The phrase
“Lean upon your dear Lord’s breast” pictures intimacy, like John leaning
on Jesus at the Last Supper (John 13:23). It is personal, close, and
comforting. We are told to “heed the call”—not ignore it. Hebrews 3:15
warns, “Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” If we
labor and are burdened, the remedy is not self-help, but Jesus’ help.
And that help begins when we obey His invitation.
Stanza 2: “He that labor and are
heavy laden, Lean upon your dear Lord’s breast; Ye that labor and are
heavy laden, Come, and I will give you rest.”
This stanza repeats much of the
chorus, emphasizing its importance. It reminds us of Jesus’ gentleness
and willingness to bear our burdens (1 Peter 5:7). The repetition
reinforces the sincerity and urgency of His call. The world burdens, but
Jesus relieves. Galatians 6:2 commands us to “Bear ye one another’s
burdens,” yet Christ bears ours first. His “yoke is easy” and His
“burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). When we rest in Him, we are not
idle—we are strengthened.
Stanza 3: “Then His loving,
tender voice obeying, Bear His yoke, His burden take; Find the yoke His
hand is on you laying, Light and easy for His sake.”
This final stanza moves from
invitation to action. Hearing must be followed by obeying. Hebrews 5:9
tells us Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that
obey Him.” Obedience is not bondage—it is the path to peace. His yoke,
though it implies submission, is not harsh—it is placed by a loving
hand. The paradox of Christianity is that true freedom comes through
willing servitude to Christ (Romans 6:18). His commands are not
burdensome (1 John 5:3), and His way is best. Rest comes not through
inactivity but through surrender.
Sermon Outline
Introduction:
- Jesus’ voice is gentle, loving,
and inviting.
- The hymn is built around
Matthew 11:28–30.
- Jesus calls the weary to come,
trust, and obey.
I. Stanza 1 – The Invitation to
Listen
- Jesus calls gently, not
forcefully (Matthew 11:28)
- The voice is full of love and
pity (Isaiah 55:3)
- Repentance begins with hearing
(Romans 10:17)
II. Chorus – The Promise of Rest
- Rest is promised to the
burdened (Matthew 11:29)
- The Christian’s rest is found
in Jesus (Hebrews 4:9)
- “Lean upon” expresses trust and
closeness (John 13:23)
III. Stanza 2 – Repetition for
Emphasis
- Jesus bears our burdens (1
Peter 5:7)
- He invites us to trust Him
again and again (Galatians 6:2)
- Rest is offered freely, not
earned (Ephesians 2:8–9)
IV. Stanza 3 – The Response of
Obedience
- Obedience is essential for
salvation (Hebrews 5:9)
- His yoke is easy and light
(Matthew 11:30)
- Love makes the burden bearable
(1 John 5:3)
Call to Action
Jesus is calling you. His voice is
not distant or harsh—it is gentle and loving. Are you listening? Are you
weary with sin, worry, or pain? He offers you rest, but you must
respond. Turn to Him in obedient faith (Mark 16:16), repent of your sins
(Acts 2:38), and take His yoke upon you. You will find rest—not only in
this life but in eternity. Don’t delay. The gentle voice of Jesus still
calls—heed it today.
Scripture Reference List
- Matthew 11:28–30 – “Come unto
Me... and I will give you rest.”
- Isaiah 55:3 – “Incline your
ear, and come unto Me.”
- John 13:23 – Leaning on Jesus’
breast.
- Hebrews 3:15 – “Harden not your
hearts.”
- 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your
care upon Him...”
- Galatians 6:2 – “Bear ye one
another’s burdens.”
- Hebrews 5:9 – “Author of
eternal salvation to them that obey.”
- Romans 6:18 – “Made free from
sin, servants of righteousness.”
- 1 John 5:3 – “His commandments
are not grievous.”
- Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved.”
- Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be
baptized... for the remission of sins.”
- Hebrews 4:9 – “There remaineth
a rest for the people of God.”
Song Author Credit
Horatio R. Palmer (1834–1907), a
noted American musician and hymn writer, composed this beloved hymn. He
was known for his contributions to gospel music and his deep commitment
to Christian education. “Hark! The Gentle Voice” remains a powerful
favorite for its simplicity, clarity, and biblical truth.
Song History
First published in the late 19th
century, “Hark! The Gentle Voice of Jesus Calleth” became a favorite in
churches of Christ for its faithful depiction of Jesus’ call to the
weary and lost. The hymn was embraced for its scriptural alignment with
Matthew 11:28–30 and its devotional power, inviting many to consider
Christ’s offer of rest. It appears in multiple hymnals adapted for
congregational use, including Songs of the Church and Sacred
Selections.
Prepared by David Hersey of the
church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
