CHRIST A REDEEMER AND FRIEND
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends." John 15:3
Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779.
Music: "Hamburg," Lowell Mason, 1824.
Poor, weak and worthless though I am
I have a rich almighty Friend;
Jesus, the Savior, is His Name;
He freely loves, and without end.
He ransomed me from hell with blood,
And by His power my foes controlled;
He found me wandering far from God,
And brought me to His chosen fold.
But, ah! my inmost spirit mourns;
And well my eyes with tears may swim,
To think of my perverse returns:
I've been a faithless friend to Him.
Often my gracious Friend I grieve,
Neglect, distrust, and obey;
And often Satan's lies believe
Sooner than all my Friend can say.
Sure, were I not most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite!
And were not He the God of grace,
He'd frown and spurn me from my sight.
He cheers my heart, my needs supplies,
And says that I shall shortly be,
Enthroned with Him above the skies;
O what a Friend is Christ to me!