What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Joseph Scriven · 1855 · tune CONVERSE
Key of G · public domain

Words

Verse 1What 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

Verse 2Have 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

Verse 3Are 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
In His arms He'll take and shield thee
Thou wilt find a solace there

The story

Joseph Scriven emigrated from Ireland to Canada after his fiancee drowned on the eve of their wedding. Years later, engaged again, his second fiancee died of pneumonia before they could marry. He wrote these words in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was still in Ireland and ill, and did not intend anyone else to see them. They were published anonymously and became famous while he was still alive and still unaware. When a neighbour found the poem and asked whether he had written it, Scriven said that he and the Lord had done it between them. He drowned in Ontario in 1886. The hymn is often criticised as sentimental, which rather misses who wrote it and what it cost him.

Chords in G

Verse 1 G C G What a friend we have in Jesus G A7 D All our sins and griefs to bear G C What a privilege to carry G D G Everything to God in prayer G C G O what peace we often forfeit G A7 D O what needless pain we bear G C G All because we do not carry G D G Everything to God in prayer Verse 2 G C G Have we trials and temptations G A7 D Is there trouble anywhere G C G We should never be discouraged G D G Take it to the Lord in prayer G C G Can we find a friend so faithful G A7 D Who will all our sorrows share G C G Jesus knows our every weakness G D G Take it to the Lord in prayer Verse 3 G C G Are we weak and heavy laden G A7 D Cumbered with a load of care G C G Precious Savior, still our refuge G D G Take it to the Lord in prayer G C G Do thy friends despise, forsake thee G A7 D Take it to the Lord in prayer G C G In His arms He'll take and shield thee G D G Thou wilt find a solace there

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Themes

Prayer · Comfort · Trust

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