A friend of Jesus! O what bliss
That one so vile as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!

Refrain

Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
O what blessèd, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.

A Friend when other friendships cease,
A Friend when others fail,
A Friend Who gives me joy and peace,
A Friend when foes assail!

Refrain

A Friend when sickness lays me low,
A Friend when death draws near,
A Friend as through the vale I go,
A Friend to help and cheer!

Refrain

A Friend when life’s short race is o’er
A Friend when earth is past,
A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore,
A Friend when home at last!

Refrain

He wants not friends that hath Thy love,
And may converse and walk with Thee;
And with Thy saints here and above,
With whom forever I must be.

In the communion of the saints
Is wisdom, safety and delight;
And, when my heart declines and faints,
It’s raised by their heat and light.

As for my friends, they are not lost;
The several vessels of Thy fleet,
Though parted now, by tempests tossed,
Shall safely in the haven meet.

Still we are centered all in Thee,
Members, though distant, of one head;
In the same family we be,
By the same faith and Spirit led.

Before Thy throne we daily meet
As joint petitioners to Thee;
In spirit we each other greet,
And shall again each other see.

The heav’nly hosts, world without end,
Shall be my company above;
And Thou, my best and surest Friend,
Who shall divide me from Thy love?

Why should I charge my soul with care?
The wealth of every mine
Belongs to Christ, God’s Son and Heir,
And He’s a Friend of mine.

Refrain

Yes, He’s a Friend of mine,
And He with me doth all things share;
Since all is Christ’s, and Christ is mine,
Why should I have a care?
For Jesus is a Friend of mine.

The silver moon, the golden sun,
The countless stars that shine,
Are His alone, yes, every one,
And He’s a Friend of mine.

Refrain

He daily spreads a glorious feast,
And at His table dine
The whole creation, man and beast,
And He’s a Friend of mine.

Refrain

And when he comes in bright array,
And leads the conqu’ring line,
It will be glory then to say,
That He’s a Friend of mine.

Refrain

I have a Friend and He came to seek me,
I was afar on the ocean wave,
Into the fold of His love He brought me,
Peace to my soul from that hour He gave.

Refrain

Glory, glory, Jesus is my Savior,
I will sing and praise him in the glad, new song;
Glory, glory, I will give Him glory,
When mine eyes behold Him, in the blood-washed throng.

O how my heart with its joy is bounding,
O what a Savior and Friend is He,
Full of compassion and rich in blessing,
O how He loves and He cares for me.

Refrain

I have a Friend that will ne’er forsake me,
I shall be kept by His mighty pow’r.
Safe in the arms of His love that folds me,
Moment by moment and hour by hour.

Refrain

I have a hope that is sure and steadfast,
Firm as the rock where by faith I stand;
I have the pledge of a rest eternal
Waiting for me in the soul’s bright land.

Refrain

I have a Friend, so patient, kind, forbearing,
Of all my friends this Friend doth love me best;
Though I am weak and sinful, yet when sharing
His love and mercy I am ever blest.

He is my Lord, my Friend, yea, He’s my Brother;
And Jesus Christ is His most blessèd Name.
He loves more tenderly than any mother;
To rest in Him is more than wealth and fame.

My poor and wretched soul He bought so dearly,
And freed from condemnation, death, and hell;
The old and bitter foe He crushed completely;
My soul, rejoice and sing, for all is well!

Thus I’m redeemed; no more the law prevaileth,
For Christ, the Lord, is my Redeemer’s Name;
His precious blood more than my sins availeth;
And cleanseth me from all my guilt and shame.

With hallelujahs here I’d tell the story,
My Lord to praise, to laud and magnify;
And praise His Name forevermore in glory,
Before His throne with all the saints on high.

I have a Friend Who loveth me,
He gave His life on Calvary;
Upon the cross my sins He bore,
And I am saved forevermore.

Refrain

Oh, hallelujah, He’s my Friend,
He guides me to the journey’s end,
He walks beside me all the way,
And gives to me a crown some day.

My Savior’s love so full and free
Doth light the weary way for me;
It fills with joy each passing day
And drives my sorrows all away.

Refrain

I have a Friend, a mighty Friend,
Upon His power I may depend;
He reigneth over every land,
O’er valley, hill, on sea and strand.

Refrain

O brother, join us in our song!
This Friend to you would fain belong;
Tho’ far from what you’d like to be,
His grace sufficient is for thee.

Refrain

When the sun shines bright and your heart is light,
Jesus is the Friend you need;
When the clouds hang low in this world of woe,
Jesus is the Friend you need.

Refrain

Jesus is the Friend you need,
Such a Friend is He indeed;
He Who noteth ev’ry tear,
He will banish ev’ry fear,
Jesus is the Friend you need.

If you’re lost in sin, all is dark within,
Jesus is the Friend you need;
God alone can save through the Son He gave,
Jesus is the Friend you need.

Refrain

When in that sad hour, when in death’s grim pow’r,
Jesus is the Friend you need;
If you would prepare ’gainst the tempter’s snare,
Jesus is the Friend you need.

Refrain

When the cares of life all around are rife,
Jesus is the Friend you need;
Glory to His Name, always He’s the same,
Jesus is the Friend you need.

Refrain

I have a Friend so dear,
Constant and true is He,
Filling my heart with cheer,
So good to me.
He’s covered ev’ry sin and stain,
His pow’r now makes me whole again,
And soon with Him fore’er I’ll reign—
Jesus, my Friend.

He’s promised to return
To this dark world below,
Though wicked men may spurn,
To Him I’ll go.
He’ll take me to my home on high,
Where I shall live and never die,
He’ll wipe all tears from ev’ry eye—
Jesus, my Friend.

Then why should sorrow fill
Hearts that on Him rely,
His blessèd “Peace, be still”
Calms ev’ry cry.
Who fills with hope and courage now,
And at the last—I not not how—
Will place a crown upon my brow—
Jesus, my Friend.

Jesu, my Savior, Brother, Friend,
On Whom I cast my every care,
On Whom for all things I depend,
Inspire, and then accept, my prayer.

If I have tasted of Thy grace,
The grace that sure salvation brings,
If with me now Thy Spirit stays,
And hovering hides me in His wings.

Still let Him with my weakness stay,
Nor for a moment’s space depart,
Evil and danger turn away,
And keep till He renews my heart.

When to the right or left I stray,
His voice behind me may I hear,
“Return, and walk in Christ Thy way,
Fly back to Christ, for sin is near.”

His sacred unction from above
Be still my Comforter and Guide;
Till all the hardness He remove,
And in my loving heart reside.

Jesus, I fain would walk in Thee,
From nature’s every path retreat;
Thou art my Way, my Leader be,
And set upon the rock my feet.

Uphold me, Savior, or I fall,
O reach me out Thy gracious hand
Only on Thee for help I call,
Only by faith in Thee I stand.

On life’s pathway I am never lonely,
My Lord is with me, my Lord divine;
Ever present Guide, I trust Him only,
No longer lonely, for He is mine.

No longer lonely, no longer lonely,
For Jesus is the Friend of friends to me;
No longer lonely, no longer lonely,
For Jesus is the Friend of friends to me.

I shall not be lonely in my sorrow,
He will sustain me until the end;
Darkest night He turns to brightest morrow,
No longer lonely! He is my Friend.

Refrain

I shall not be lonely in the valley
Tho’ shadows gather, I will not fear;
He has promised ever to uphold me,
No longer lonely! He will be near.

Refrain

O Thou great Friend to all the sons of men,
Who once appeared in humblest guise below,
Sin to rebuke, to break the captive’s chain,
To call the brethren forth from want and woe.

Thee would I sing: Thy truth is still the light
Which guides the nations groping on their way,
Stumbling and falling in disastrous night,
Yet hoping ever for the perfect day.

Yes, Thou art still the Life; Thou art the Way
The holiest know—Light, Life and Way of Heav’n;
And they who dearest hope and deepest pray
Toil by the truth, life, way that Thou hast giv’n.

There’s an eye that watches o’er me,
Everywhere I’m called to go;
There’s a light that shines before me,
Brighter still the way will grow;
There’s a tender hand to guide me,
Thro’ the sunlight and the shade;
There’s a Friend Who walks beside me,
Ready to defend and aid.

Refrain

Jesus is the precious Friend,
Brightening life’s changeful story;
To His Name be all the glory,
He will guide me and defend;
Joy, joy, happy songs ascend;
He will comfort me in sadness,
Fill my heart with peace and gladness,
Jesus is my precious Friend.

O, to love this Friend more dearly,
Yielding all my life to Him!
O, to trust Him more sincerely,
Whether skies be bright or dim;
Let my daily service praise Him,
Let my voice hosannas swell;
Grateful carols I would raise Him,
Jesus doeth all things well.

Refrain

Never will this Friend forsake me,
I would in His love confide,
Then whatever ills o’ertake me,
Peace shall in my soul abide;
O, how great is His salvation,
O, what mercy He’ll extend!
He my Hope and Expectation,
He, my everlasting Friend.

Refrain

Singing, singing, light and free,
As the merry birds are we;
For a precious Friend is near,
Bending now our song to hear.

Refrain

Very thankful we should be,
For a Friend so dear as He;
Very thankful we should be,
For a Friend so dear as He.

Singing, singing all the day,
As the moments glide away;
Ever grateful for His care
And the tender love we share.

Refrain

Singing, singing, O how sweet,
Resting at the Savior’s feet;
Looking up with joyful eyes,
To His dwelling in the skies.

Refrain

There’s a Friend that abides evermore,
And that Friend is the Lord, my King;
Of the peace I received,
When His Word I believed,
In the fullness of joy I will sing.

Refrain

O come, quickly come!
He is calling you today,
O come to that Friend so true;
He will be your faithful Guide,
More than all the world beside,
And remember He has died for you.

There’s a Friend that abides evermore,
And I praise Him with loud acclaim;
For the life that is mine
Through His mercy divine;
Still I sing in my joy, “Bless His Name!”

Refrain

There’s a love that is strong as the hills
That encircle His throne above;
How it speaks to my soul
When the dark billows roll,
And my heart sings for joy, “God is love!”

Refrain

There’s a Friend that abides evermore,
And a Friend that I long to see;
O, the song that will break,
When to rapture I wake,
And in glory with Him I shall be!

Refrain

There’s no friend to me like Jesus,
He my ev’ry need supplies;
He not only saves but keeps me,
Nothing good from me denies.

Refrain

Yes, in Him I’m fully trusting,
Yes, through Him I’ll conquer all;
For I know He saves and keeps me,
And He’ll never let me fall.

All, yes, all to me is Jesus,
Blest Redeemer, Savior, Guide,
And from ev’ry foe defends me,
And in Him I’ll ever hide.

Refrain

I will never cease to love Him,
He Who died to set me free;
Now in Him I am abiding,
And some day His face I’ll see.

Refrain

To Thee, O Savior Friend,
Our loving prayers ascend,
To Thee we sing.
Upon Thine altars here
Our choicest gifts appear,
And all we hold most dear
To Thee we bring.

Sometimes our love to Thee
Grows cold, and seems to be
A fleeting breath.
But Thine burns warm and pure
While earthly things endure:
A love forever sure
In life and death.

Dear Lord, our love renew,
That we with zeal may do
Thy holy will.
Support us when we fail,
Be near us when we call,
Direct and help us all
To serve Thee still.

O my Redeemer,
What a Friend Thou art to me!
Oh, what a refuge I have found in Thee!
When the way was dreary,
And my heart was sore oppressed,
’Twas Thy voice that lulled me
To a calm sweet rest.

Refrain

Nearer, draw nearer,
Till my soul is lost in Thee;
Nearer, draw nearer,
Blessèd Lord, to me.

When in their beauty
Stars unveil their silver light,
Then, O my Savior,
Give me songs at night—
Songs of yonder mansions,
Where the dear ones, gone before,
Sing Thy praise for ever,
On that peaceful shore.

Refrain

Jesus, my Savior,
When the last deep shadows fall;
When in the silence
I shall hear Thy call—
In Thine arms reposing,
Let me breathe my life away,
And awake triumphant,
In eternal day.

Refrain

There never was a truer Friend than Jesus,
He hears me when my heart for mercy pleads;
And no one knows my burdens like my Jesus,
For He alone can understand my needs.

Refrain

Wonderful, unfailing Friend is Jesus,
He fills my soul with singing all the day;
Wonderful, eternal Friend is Jesus,
And He’ll go with me all the way.

There never was a truer Friend than Jesus,
My sorrows He will always with me share;
And since He bore His cross, my blessèd Jesus,
There is no cross He will not help me bear.

Refrain

There never was a truer Friend than Jesus,
He is my life and strength, my all in all;
Upon the strong and loving arms of Jesus
My soul shall rest, and never, never fail.

Refrain