Count Your Blessings

by Andrew Rinaldi

"Count Your Blessings" is a Christian hymn by Johnson Oatman that is a beautiful reminder to give thanks for the loving grace in our life from God. God truly gives us so many blessings each and every single day. Some may even be so small that we might overlook them. The classic hymn 'Count Your Blessings' truly reminds us to stop and give thanks for all God has done in our lives. This is definitely a pause we all need to take. Amen! Find the full lyrics of "Count Your Blessings" and the background story of its author below as well as the biblical inspiration of this hymn!

Count Your Blessings Lyrics

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.

Refrain:
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.

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. (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)

Songwriters Johnson Oatman, Jr., E. O. Excell Published by Public Domain

The Story Behind Count Your Blessings

Johnson Oatman, Jr. lived between 1856-1922. During his lifetime he wrote lyrics for over five thousand Gospel songs and hymns. A large number of his songs are still sung in the church to this day. Some of his most familiar hymns are: Count Your Blessings, He Included Me, Higher Ground, and No, Not One.

Edwin Othello Excell, commonly known as E. O. Excell, was a prominent composer during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Estimates of the number of songs authored, composed or arranged by Excell range well over two thousand. Two that remain well known are his 1909 arrangement of John Newton's Amazing Grace and the tune he composed for Johnson Oatman's Count Your Blessings.

"Count Your Blessings" is a wonderful song to sing any day of the year as a reminder of the many blessings of God, even during hardships. You will feel joy and contentment after joining in with this hymn!

Bible Inspiration for Count Your Blessings Lyrics

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

"And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out." - Deuteronomy 28:1-6

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Our Favorite Performance of Count Your Blessings

The Martins - Count Your Blessings [Live]

'Count Your Blessings' - Guy Penrod

Today's Devotional

A Prayer for When You Feel Lost - Your Daily Prayer - April 27

When we feel lost, God is our true north. He is the one who can lead us where He wants us. It is so easy to get caught up in listening to the world, so sometimes, it is best to shut it out to create a quiet space for God to work.