Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1 One there is, above all others,
Well deserves the name of friend;
His is love beyond a brother's,
Costly, free, and knows no end:
They who once his kindness prove,
Find it everlasting love!
2 Which of all our friends to save us,
Could or would have shed their blood?
But our JESUS died to have us
Reconciled, in him to God:
This was boundless love indeed!
JESUS is a friend in need.
3 Men, when raised to lofty stations,
Often know their friends no more;
Slight and scorn their poor relations
Though they valued them before.
But our Savior always owns
Those whom he redeemed with groans.
4 When he lived on earth abased,
Friend of sinners was his name;
Now, above all glory raised,
He rejoices in the same:
Still he calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends.
5 Could we bear from one another,
What he daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother,
Loves us though we treat him thus:
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
6 O for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love;
We, alas! forget too often,
What a Friend we have above:
But when home our souls are brought,
We will love thee as we ought.
Olney Hymns, Book 1. Hymn 53
John Newton
Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7.
3 comments:
We shall indeed love our Lord when we reach home. There will be no obstacle separating us from His presence. We will never fully realize the meaning of love until then.
I love that song and have not heard it in a long time. As I read it I could hear it sung in the old time sacred harp way.
Thanks for sharing this. Praise God that Jesus is my friend!
Stephen
Thanks for commenting guys. Stephen, what tune do y'all use with this hymn? This is a hymn I haven't heard much, but would like to hear more. Durand and Lester's Hymn and Tune Book gives "Talmar".
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