No, Not One

Jonathan Anderson • July 16, 2025

“No, Not One” is a hymn that gently reminds us we’re not alone. It’s full of warmth and assurance, lifting our eyes to Jesus — not just as Savior, but as the Friend who never leaves. The message is simple: there’s no one like Jesus. No one else understands so fully, stays so faithfully, or loves so deeply.

The Story Behind the Hymn

This hymn was written in 1895 by Johnson Oatman Jr., a prolific hymn writer known for songs like Count Your Blessings. Oatman often wrote about the everyday walk of faith — songs that encouraged hearts and reminded people of God’s constant care.


The music was composed by George C. Hugg, who helped bring Oatman’s lyrics to life with a melody that’s both joyful and comforting. “No, Not One” quickly became a favorite in revivals and churches across the country, especially in times when people needed the reminder that Jesus is always near.


What Makes It Powerful

This hymn stands out for its tender honesty. It doesn’t avoid the reality of hardship — it simply answers it with a truth: Jesus knows all about our struggles. And not only does He know — He walks through them with us. There’s no night too dark, no wound too deep, and no burden too heavy that Jesus doesn’t understand.


A verse that reflects this promise is Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV):

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses… Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The hymn doesn’t give shallow comfort — it gives us Christ Himself, and reminds us there truly is no friend like the lowly Jesus.


My Violin Cover

When I arranged “No, Not One” for violin, I wanted to capture its gentle joy. The melody is steady and sweet, and I tried to play it with warmth — not too fast, not too slow — just enough to let each phrase feel like a soft assurance.


With Violin Hymns, I always try to match the feeling of the words, and this one felt like a quiet smile — the kind that comes from knowing you’re never alone.



Listen and Reflect

The video is below. As you listen, let your heart rest in the truth this hymn offers. Whatever you’re facing, Jesus knows. He sees. He stays. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus — no, not one.

Lyrics


There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.

No, not one! No, not one!

None else could heal all our soul's diseases.

No, not one! No, not one!


Jesus knows all about our struggles;

He will guide till the day is done.

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.

No, not one! No, not one!


No friend like Him is so high and holy.

No, not one! No, not one!

And yet no friend is so meek and lowly.

No, not one! No, not one! 


There's not an hour that He is not near us.

No, not one! No, not one!

No night so dark but His love can cheer us.

No, not one! No, not one! 


Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?

No, not one! No, not one!

Or sinner find that He would not take him?

No, not one! No, not one! 


Was e'er a gift like the Savior given?

No, not one! No, not one!

Will He refuse us a home in heaven?

No, not one! No, not one! 

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