Christian Music - Joseph M. Scriven - What a Friend We Have in Jesus!
Scriptures:
- I will never leave you nor forsake you. from Hebrews 13:5
- No greater love has a man than this that he lay down his life for his brother. John13:15
- A new commandment I give to you - "Love one another as I have loved you!" John13:34
This morning, someone on Twitter tweeted they were confused about friendship. Sometimes it may seem that people you thought were your friends are nowhere to be found. However, God promises He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is also written: "Am I a man that I would lie?"
Perhaps the friendship of people is supposed to be imperfect so we will treasure the perfect friendship of God all the more.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus is one of my favourite hymns.
This post has the words to What a Friend We Have in Jesus, an embedded video, and a bit about the story behind the song. Won't you sing along?
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What a Friend We Have in Jesus - The Story Behind the Song
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In 1844 Joseph Scriven, a young Irishman, had completed his college education and returned home to marry his sweetheart. While travelling to meet her the day before the wedding, he came upon a horrible scene—his beautiful fiancée had been thrown off her horse and was laying under the water in a creek bed.
Scriven moved to Canada and eventually fell in love again, only to experience devastation once more. His fiancée became ill and died weeks before their marriage. For the second time, this humble Christian felt the loss of the woman he loved.
The following year, Scriven wrote a poem to his mother in Ireland that describing the deep friendship with Jesus he had cultivated in prayer through the hardships of his life.
The poem was published anonymously at first under the title, “Pray Without Ceasing.”
Ten years later, he finally acknowledged this well-loved text had been written by him and his friend, Jesus.
In 1868, attorney Charles Converse set the poem to a piece of music and renamed it “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
Ken Osbeck tells this story in his book 101 Hymn Stories available here on eBay or read the book free here online.
Had you heard this story before?
What a Friend We Have in Jesus - Lyrics
I found the following lyrics on the timeless truths website where you can listen to a recording of the song with their midi player, and even download sheet music for the song. However, if you are just starting to learn piano, you might find their free pdf version a bit tricky.
An excellent easy arrangement of What a Friend We Have in Jesus can be found in Hymns - Super Easy Songbook By Various - Softcover Sheet Music For Piano; Piano/Keyboard - Buy Print Music HL.194659 | Sheet Music Plus
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
I
n His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
About This Author
Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su
This post was proofread by the free version of Grammarly
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