Step by Step (’Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus)

By Albert B. Simpson

Lyrics

1. . ’Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus,
Step by step and day by day;
Stepping in His very footprints,
Walking with Him all the way.

Refrain
Step by step, step by step,
I would walk with Jesus,
All the day, all the way,
Keeping step with Jesus.

2. . ’Tis so safe to walk with Jesus,
Leaning hard upon His arm,
Following closely where He leads us,
None can hurt and naught can harm.

3. . Step by step I’ll walk with Jesus,
Just a moment at a time;
Heights I have not wings to soar to
Step by step my feet can climb.

4. . Jesus keep me closer—closer,
Step by step and day by day;
Stepping in Thy very footprints
Walking with Thee all the way.

Bible Reference

1 Peter 2:21

About This Hymn

“Step by Step” opens with the line “’Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus” and invites believers to follow the Savior closely, keeping pace with Him in daily discipleship. The text and refrain emphasize steady obedience, safety in Christ’s care, and patient progress in the Christian life. Hymnary records Simpson as the author and gives 1897 for the text, with the familiar refrain “Step by step, step by step, I would walk with Jesus.”

Simpson wrote both words and a commonly used tune. The hymn appeared in Alliance hymnals and later in other collections. Some hymnals also pair the text with an alternate tune by Antonius Darms, titled STEP BY STEP, showing its broad use across traditions. These sources reflect the hymn’s role in teaching believers to “follow in His steps,” which matches the call of 1 Peter 2:21.