When Upon Life's Billows

Johnson Oatman Jr. was born to a merchant family in 1856. His father, the local merchant, had a rich powerful voice and was known to be the best singer in town. Johnson wanted to make his own musical contributions but he just couldn’t sing as well as his father. He soon joined the family business but decided that wasn’t for him and entered the ministry.

After completing seminary and ministering to various churches, Johnson soon realized that he did have a hidden musical talent! He was able to compose songs for others to sing! Each year, he composed roughly 200 songs and soon he had a collection of over 5,000 hymns.

Count Your Blessings is perhaps one of his most well-known hymns. Too often we take for granted the blessings and comforts that the Lord has given us. This hymn reminds us to always give thanks to God for He blesses us every single day.

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.
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.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (KJV).