April 24, 2020 (Friday)
Bill and Gloria Gaither have written so many gospel songs and choruses, it’s hard to pick out any one song for praise, but “He Touched Me” is probably their most famous. Bill says it was his fifty-fourth song and the first to become widely popular. Hard to believe but the song is now about 57 years old.
This song touches the heart of all who hear it. It’s all about our experience of coming to know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. It vividly paints a picture of the soul without Christ: “shackled by a heavy burden, ‘neath a load of guilt and shame.” It tells in dramatic fashion about the transformation of lives when people come to Christ in faith: “then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same.” What happened to bring about that change? “He touched me. He touched me.” And what has been the result in my life since Jesus has entered my heart? “oh the joy that floods my soul!” My testimony today is that “something happened.” Now I know that He touched me and made me whole.” I’ll never cease to praise Him for what He has done for me. What a message is in this song!
HE TOUCHED ME
Words and Music by Bill and Gloria Gaither
1963
Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.
Since I met this blessed Savior,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.
He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.
More information about this wonderful song:
Bill worked in evangelism with Dr. Dale Oldham (father of Doug) and one day the preacher said to the singer, “Bill, there’s much in the gospels about the touch of the Lord, so you ought to write a song about it.” He did, and the first recording was by Doug Oldham. As people heard it, they took it back to their churches and at first it was sung a lot as a chorus. Later that year the Gaithers recorded it, and more and more people heard their songs, heard the Gaithers sing and began singing their songs. Elvis loved it and recorded it. We can rest assured that many people have been introduced to Christ through this song.