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Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.

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 hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly, and you will be singing  as the days go by.

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.

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.

CHORUS
Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God hath done; count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

 

Johnson Oatman Jr, son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born near Medford, N.J., April 21, 1856. His father was an excellent singer, and it always delighted the Johnson to sit by his side and hear his father sing the songs of the church. Outside of the usual time spent in the public schools, Johnson received his education at Herbert’s Academy, Vincentown, N.J., and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, Bordentown, N.J. At the age of nineteen he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a few years later he was granted a license to preach and later ordained, and did not have did not have a full-time position as a preacher. For years, Johnson worked in his father’s mercantile in NJ. After the death of his father Johnson became an insurance salesman. Although, Johnson did not have a congregation, he preached to large groups of people daily. On July 21, 1878, Johnson married Wilhelmina Reid. They had 2 daughter and a 1 son; the eldest daughter became a song writer.  Johnson took up poetry in his spare time and in 1892, he began hymns. A year after writing his first hymn, the hymn was preformed in front of several people, Johnson vowed to write more songs to bless others. He averaged over 200 each year.  Johnson became a well-known hymnwriter in his day, writing a total of 5,000 hymns. He was interviewed in Boston and made this statement, “Let others sing of rights or wrongs, sing anything that pleases; but while they’re singing other songs, I’ll sing a song for Jesus.” In October 1909, Wilhelmina passed away. On September 25, 1925, Johnson passed away in Oklahoma, and is buried in New Jersey.