Scripture Verse

A friend of tax collectors and sinners. Luke 7:34

Introduction

portrait
J. Wilbur Chapman
(1859–1918)

Words: J. Wil­bur Chap­man, 1910.

Music: Hy­fry­dol Row­land H. Pri­chard, Cy­faill y Can­to­ri­on (Llan­id­loes, Wales: John M. Jones, print­er, 1844) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Rowland H. Prichard
(1811–1887)

Lyrics

Jesus! what a friend for sin­ners!
Jesus! Lov­er of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes as­sail me,
He, my Sav­ior, makes me whole.

Refrain

Hallelujah! what a Sav­ior!
Hallelujah! what a friend!
Saving, help­ing, keep­ing, lov­ing,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a strength in weak­ness!
Let me hide my­self in Him.
Tempted, tried, and some­times fail­ing,
He, my strength, my vic­to­ry wins.

Refrain

Jesus! what a help in sor­row!
While the bil­lows over me roll,
Even when my heart is break­ing,
He, my com­fort, helps my soul.

Refrain

Jesus! what a guide and keep­er!
While the tem­pest still is high,
Storms about me, night ov­er­takes me,
He, my pi­lot, hears my cry.

Refrain

Jesus! I do now re­ceive Him,
[or Je­sus! I do now adore Him]
More than all in Him I find.
He hath grant­ed me for­give­ness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Refrain