Scripture Verse

I am with you always. Matthew 28:20

Introduction

Words: Sam­u­el C. G. Küs­ter, in the Ge­sang Buch (Ber­lin: 1829), num­ber 549 (O Je­su, Freund der Seel­en). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Han­nah K. Bur­ling­ham in the Bri­tish Her­ald, July 1865, page 100.

Music: Friend Un­fail­ing ar­ranged from Lud­wig van Beet­ho­ven (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Küs­ter or Bur­ling­ham (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

portrait
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770–1827

Lyrics

O Jesus, friend unfailing,
How dear Thou art to me!
Are cares or fears assailing?
I find my strength in Thee.
Why should my feet grow weary
Of this my pilgrim way?
Rough tho’ the path and dreary,
It ends in perfect day.

Naught, naught I count as pleasure,
Compared, O Lord, with Thee;
Thy sorrow, without measure,
Earned peace and joy for me.
I love to own, Lord Jesus,
Thy claims o’er me divine;
Bought with Thy blood most precious,
Whose can I be but Thine?

O worldly pomp and glory,
Your charms are spread in vain!
I’ve heard a sweeter story,
I’ve found a truer gain.
Where Christ a place prepareth,
There is my loved abode;
There shall I gaze on Jesus:
There shall I dwell with God.

For every tribulation,
For every sore distress,
In Christ I’ve full salvation,
Sure help and quiet rest.
No fear of foes prevailing!
I triumph, Lord, in Thee:
O Jesus, friend unfailing,
How dear Thou art to me!