COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

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 1897

“Count Your Blessings” – Hymn History


The hymn “Count Your Blessings” is a well-known Christian gospel song that encourages gratitude and trust in God, especially during difficult times.


Origin and Authorship


Text: Written by Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856–1922), a prolific American hymn writer.


Music: Composed by Edwin Othello Excell (1851–1921), a prominent gospel music composer and publisher.


Year: First published in 1897.


Background


Johnson Oatman Jr. was a Methodist layman who worked in the insurance business but wrote over 5,000 hymns. His lyrics often focused on everyday Christian living, encouragement, and personal faith.

Edwin O. Excell was deeply involved in church music, Sunday school songs, and hymn compilation, and he provided tunes that were simple, memorable, and suitable for congregational singing.


Inspiration and Theme


The hymn was written during a period when many people faced economic hardship, illness, and social change in late 19th-century America. Its message urges believers to:


Focus on God’s blessings rather than life’s troubles


Practice gratitude as a remedy for discouragement


Strengthen faith by remembering God’s faithfulness


The famous refrain:


“Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”


captures the hymn’s central idea—gratitude transforms perspective.


Musical and Worship Use


Commonly sung in church services, revivals, and thanksgiving celebrations


Popular across many denominations


Often associated with themes of thankfulness, contentment, and faith during trials


Legacy


More than a century later, “Count Your Blessings” remains one of the most enduring gospel hymns in the English-speaking world. Its simple message continues to resonate because it addresses a universal human struggle: learning to trust God and remain thankful in all circumstances.

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