While writing yesterday’s devotion, an old hymn popped into my head. I found myself humming it and then singing it. I could not remember all the words, so I decided to look it up. I discovered that while it is included in “Lutheran Service Book,” there are only four stanzas in there. I remembered it being longer than that, so I went back to “The Lutheran Hymnal” and found it, and sure enough, there are eight stanzas there.

I know that folks complain about some hymns being too long, especially if the service is already running long. Truth be told, I have done that myself at times. But since we are not in a worship service right now, we have time to look at all the stanzas and reflect on the message they share.

What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure
When Thou, and Thou alone, Lord Jesus, art my Treasure!
Thou only, dearest Lord, My soul’s Delight shalt be;
Thou art my Peace, my Rest What is the world to me!

The world is like a cloud And like a vapor fleeting,
A shadow that declines, Swift to its end retreating.
My Jesus doth abide, Tho’ all things fade and flee;
My everlasting Rock What is the world to me!

The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty,
Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty.
But what I truly prize Above all things is He,
My Jesus, He alone What is the world to me!

The world seeks after wealth And all that Mammon offers,
Yet never is content Tho’ gold should fill its coffers.
I have a higher good, Content with it I’ll be:
My Jesus is my Wealth What is the world to me!

The world is sorely grieved Whenever it is slighted
Or when its hollow fame And honor have been blighted.
Christ, Thy reproach I bear Long as it pleaseth Thee;
I’m honored by my Lord What is the world to me!

The world with wanton pride Exalts its sinful pleasures
And for them foolishly Gives up the heavenly treasures.
Let others love the world With all its vanity;
I love the Lord, my God What is the world to me!

The world abideth not; Lo, like a flash ’twill vanish;
With all its gorgeous pomp Pale death it cannot banish;
Its riches pass away, And all its joys must flee;
But Jesus doth abide What is the world to me!

What is the world to me! My Jesus is my Treasure,
My Life, my Health, my Wealth, My Friend, my Love, my Pleasure,
My Joy, my Crown, my All, My Bliss eternally.
Once more, then, I declare: What is the world to me!

(The Lutheran Hymnal #430)

This hymn, written almost 400 years ago, is based on this passage:

1 John 2:15–17 ¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Knowing who Jesus is and all that He accomplished for us through His sinless life, His death to pay for all sin, and His victory over death, gives us the certainty this hymn writer expresses.

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.