Edna Randolph Worrell Grave

Hymn History: It’s Just Like His Great Love & Author: Edna Randolph Worrell

“Virtually nothing is known of the author …”
(hymnstudiesblog)

The Origin of the Hymn “It’s Just Like His Great Love”

Among the many gospel songs that celebrate the steadfast love of Christ, few express it as simply and sweetly as “It’s Just Like His Great Love.” This beloved hymn, written in the early 20th century, continues to be cherished for its clear testimony of Christ’s unchanging mercy and faithfulness. Its author, Edna R. Worrell, and its composer, Clarence H. Strouse, together created a song that radiates joy, gratitude, and the assurance of God’s loving care in all circumstances.

The Hymnwriter: Edna R. Worrell

Very little is known about Edna Ruth Worrell, the woman who penned the lyrics to “It’s Just Like His Great Love.” She was active as a hymnwriter during the early 1900s—a time when gospel music was flourishing in America’s churches and revival meetings. Worrell’s gift for crafting simple, devotional texts placed her among a growing number of women who were contributing significantly to Christian hymnody in that era.

Like many hymnwriters of her generation, Worrell wrote from a personal experience of faith rather than professional training. Her songs often appeared in Sunday school songbooks and gospel hymn collections published by leading publishers such as Rodeheaver, Hope Publishing, and others. Her style was marked by warmth, sincerity, and a childlike trust in the goodness of Christ.

While the details of her life remain obscure, her words have endured through one of her most beloved creations—“It’s Just Like His Great Love.”

The Composer: Clarence H. Strouse

The music for the hymn was composed by Clarence Henry Strouse (1876–1933), a noted musician and evangelistic song leader who was active in the first part of the 20th century. Strouse worked closely with evangelists, leading large congregations in spirited gospel singing during revival meetings.

Strouse’s musical style fit perfectly with the message of Worrell’s text. His melody is both bright and tender, designed to be easily remembered and sung by congregations young and old. The tune captures the buoyant joy that comes from experiencing the constant love of Jesus—a love that forgives, restores, and sustains.

The Heart of the Hymn

“It’s Just Like His Great Love” first appeared around 1903 and quickly became popular in Sunday schools and church gatherings. The hymn’s message is centered on one of the most comforting truths in Scripture: that Jesus’ love for His people never fails.

The opening verse sets the tone beautifully:

A friend I have, called Jesus, whose love is strong and true,
And never fails howe’er ’tis tried, no matter what I do;
I’ve sinned against this love of His, but when I knelt to pray,
Confessing all my guilt to Him, the sin-clouds rolled away.

This first stanza reflects the Christian’s ongoing experience of God’s mercy. It acknowledges human weakness and failure, yet rejoices in Christ’s willingness to forgive and restore. The refrain that follows captures the song’s entire message in a single joyful declaration:

It’s just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,
It’s just like Jesus to keep me day by day,
It’s just like Jesus all along the way,
It’s just like His great love.

The hymn continues in the second and third verses to describe how Jesus brings peace in trials, comfort in sorrow, and sunshine after the storm. Each verse paints a picture of divine compassion that meets human need in every situation.

Worrell’s choice of language—gentle, affectionate, and deeply personal—made the hymn especially appealing to Sunday school students and families. Yet, its message speaks to believers of all ages, reminding them that Christ’s love is not a distant or abstract idea, but a daily reality.

A Hymn of Assurance

At its core, “It’s Just Like His Great Love” is a hymn of assurance. It invites Christians to rest in the character of Jesus Christ, who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The repetition of the phrase “It’s just like Jesus” reinforces a childlike confidence in His care. The hymn declares that it is in Christ’s very nature to forgive, to comfort, and to bless—just as naturally as the sun shines or the tides rise.

During the early 20th century, many gospel songs emphasized joy and personal testimony. This hymn fit perfectly into that movement. It was not written for theological debate or formal liturgy but for heartfelt worship. Its simple structure made it easy to sing, and its words could be remembered long after the service was over.

Publication and Influence

“It’s Just Like His Great Love” was published in numerous hymnals and gospel songbooks during the early and mid-1900s, including those edited by Ira B. Wilson, B. D. Ackley, and Homer Rodeheaver—key figures in American gospel music. It became a favorite at revival meetings, youth gatherings, and camp meetings, where its message of joy and forgiveness resonated deeply.

In time, the hymn found a permanent place in the standard repertoire of evangelical hymnody. It has been recorded by many gospel artists and remains a treasured song in churches that cherish the traditional hymns of faith.

A Lasting Legacy

Though Edna Worrell and Clarence Strouse may not be household names today, their hymn endures as a testimony to God’s personal and faithful love. Every time it is sung, it reminds believers that Jesus is not only Savior and Lord but also a faithful Friend who never changes.

The hymn’s enduring charm lies in its simplicity—its ability to express profound truth with humble gratitude. For over a century, “It’s Just Like His Great Love” has helped Christians remember that no matter how dark the clouds or how heavy the burdens, Jesus is always near, ready to “roll the clouds away.”

Indeed, as the refrain declares so tenderly:

It’s just like Jesus all along the way,
It’s just like His great love.