Scripture Verse

Who is he who will devote himself to be close to Me? Jeremiah 30:21

Introduction

Words: Carl Reed, in Song Prais­es, ed­it­ed by Charles H. Ga­bri­el (Car­bon­dale, Il­li­nois: Egyp­tian Pub­lish­ing, 1906), page 15.

Music: W. How­ard Doane (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Reed (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
W. Howard Doane (1832–1915)

Lyrics

Close to Thee, my bless­èd Sav­ior,
Keep me walk­ing, day by day;
Let me feel Thy pre­sence with me,
Be my re­fuge all the way.

Refrain

Draw me near­er, still near­er to Thee;
Look in ten­der com­pas­sion on me;
Turn me not away! Hear me while I pray;
Nearer, near­er, Lord, to Thee.

I am help­less—lost with­out Thee,
Leave, oh, leave me not alone;
Underneath Thy wings of mer­cy
Hide, and keep me all Thine own.

Refrain

Thou hast died for me, Lord Je­sus,
How can I such love for­get?
Not on earth or in Thy pre­sence
Can I ev­er pay the debt.

Refrain

Every day I grieve Thy Spi­rit,
Wound the heart that broke for me,
Yet in Thy great love and mer­cy
Cast me not away from Thee.

Refrain

Help me live as Thou wouldst have me;
Cleanse me, Lord, and keep me pure;
Give me grace and strength that safe­ly
To the end I may en­dure.

Refrain