What a Friend We Have in Jesus - story behind the hymn
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- čas přidán 16. 11. 2022
- Joseph M. Scriven's beautiful hymn of Jesus' friendship was born out of a life of tragedy. And the song was almost lost in history! Thankfully his friend chanced upon the lyrics, and now we can be comforted by the beautiful words he wrote.
00:48 History
03:25 Lyrics
11:07 Performance
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1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 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!
3 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Nearly 170 years later this hymn means so much to me, a good reminder that we may never know the impact we leave, good or bad, for the next generation. As I go through trails, I keep reminding myself of needless pain I bear because I don’t bring everything to God in prayer. I see why Jesus said pray without ceasing. Any fear, worry, keep praying over and over. Jesus is the only one to give us peace this world cannot offer.
The Sunday school lesson that told me that Jesus was my friend is how God touched my heart, opened my eyes and saved me.
This is another standard across many Baptist Churches, (=The CBC, NBC. et. al.), also used by great Baptist Preachers and Evangelists in the caliber of: The Rev. Billy Graham, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. et. al.
To me, the amazing revelation of this hymn is that special line in stanza 2 which REMINDS us all about the fact…: “Jesus (already) knows our EVERY WEAKNESS…” and the amazing thing about this proclamation.. is that we have a real opportunity or should I say (a great) privilege of having such a special Friend who already knows sooo much about us, and our weakness and all He truly wishes is for us to bring onto His feet our infamous 3Ts (=Trails, Temptations, Troubles..).
Hello Luke: this is another excellent presentation of a truly powerful Christian Hymn!!! We deeply appreciate the good work you do! K-it-UP!
Love singing with you all our beautiful hymns, thank you Luke
I favorite Hymn as a child and while growing up. I thank our Lord Jesus for the Inspiration.
I discovered your channel a few weeks ago. I grew up in the Presbyterian church singing many of these songs every week. Brings back such fond memories.
Me too, I grew up in a Baptist church and brings back so many memories
Times are sad now. For me personally. The song is very comforting.
The older and lonelier I get, the more this hymn comforts me.
This song left up my soul and i needed it. THANK, YOU GOD BLESS.
In the late sixties in my late teens my aunt invited me to attend the ceremonial service to consecrate our new bishop at Napier, New Zealand. Our family knew him well as he had often attended church related breakfast meetings at our house.
This was the first hymn sung. It was introduced as a favourite of the new bishop, but not in the hymnal, so the words were written out on the service sheet.
I immediately loved this song and sang it from the service sheet many times. It is still a great favourite.
This bishop later became a well loved Governor General of New Zealand.
But he stayed faithful to God through it all
Hello Luke I really love that beautiful story I love that hymn that is one of my favorite hymns
This is a favorite song for me. Thank you for finding out so much for every song you bring us.
God is good all the time.
This has been a life-long favourite of mine and has gotten me through some rough times in my late teens and early adult life. I'm really enjoying all the history and explanations of these hymns
Your singing and speaking voice is so soothing. Thank you for your wonderful, meaningful efforts to help us better appreciate the hymns, and draw closer to our Savior.😊
I love your channel it’s so interesting and I remember growing up with these hymns
This hymn is my best hymn this song help me to give my life to the Lord. It was at fasting service this song touch my heart. The words of this hymn beautiful and the story behind it allows me to be strong in Christ.
Amen Amen Amen
Thank you on this first day of 2023 that we can joyfully sing What a Friend we have in Jesus who will taje us through this year and evermore🙏🙏
I learnt to sing & love this song as a teenager over 60 years ago, I actually sang it to another more upbeat tune which the chorus being, What a friend, what a friend, What a friend we have in Jesus. then repeat. However, it was to become much more than a song in my early 40s when my husband walked out & left me with no one to cling to but the Lord & this song I would sing over & over again as I struggled like a drowning man in what felt like an never ending sea of despair. I clung to each line for months until eventually I came to a place of peace. It has become a song that I can never sing without tears rolling down my cheeks at the love of my God for never forsaking me even though I don't deserve His love. I recently celebrated 35 years on my own, the best 35 years of my life even though they have been very hard ones but throughout them all the Lord has never left me nor forsaken me once. He has stuck closer than a brother & so I am never lonely even though I live alone. Thank you Luke for playing these old hymns as they have all become such friends with me from my childhood years & there are few that don't bring emotion welling up from a full heart of love for my Heavenly Father. For I can honestly say that if there were no God who loved us, then I wouldn't be here today. So I look forward to eternity & spending it singing praises to my heavenly Father.
One of my dads favourites. Truly beautiful song. Gives so much strength and comfort
Thank you 😊🎶📖
Thank you😊
Hi Luke, I like your video on this fovorite hymn of mine as well!
For ever, since a small child, when I feel lonely and sad, I often sings this hymm. I am 70yrs old and still enjoys to sing that my special Friend is Jesus.
❤
Morning Luke , indeed, a wonderful old hymn.......
I have found comfort, strength and encouragement from singing this hymn throughout my life, through different times, sometimes just through the sheer joy of knowing Jesus is my dearest friend.
In fact still today, when I'm struggling to sleep the words of this hymn find their way into my mind and spirit and I sing myself to sleep.
I remember singing it to my granddaughter as a baby while rocking her to sleep....
Thank you for this special time of singing it with you Luke. Blessings
Thanks for sharing Stella!
Thanks
Thanks so much!!
My favourite Hymn so God inspiring
I have such happy memories of learning and singing this hymn as a little girl in Sunday School where I gave my heart to the Lord. Thanks Luke. :)
Ah wonderful!
Jesus is a friend who will never ever leave you once you have found Him within your life.
Amen Dennis!
Hi Luke! I love these old hymn videos of yours! I am a musician myself as well as a child of God. I was wondering if we can collaborate on some hymn music together?