I HAVE a Friend, Whose faithful love
Is more than all the world to me;
‘Tis higher than the heights above,
And deeper than the soundless sea.
So old, so new,
So strong, so true,
Before the earth received her frame:
He loved me―Blessed be His name!
He held the highest place above,
Adored by all the sons of flame,
Yet such His self-denying love
He laid aside His crown and came
To seek the lost,
And at the cost
Of heavenly rank and earthly fame,
He sought me―Blessed be His name!
Then dawned at last that day of dread,
When desolate, yet undismayed,
With wearied frame and thorn-crowned head,
He, God-forsaken, man-betrayed,
Was then made sin.
On Calvary,
By dying there in grief and shame
He saved me―Blessed be His name
Long as I live my song shall tell
The wonders of His dying love;
And when at last I rise to dwell
In the bright home prepared above,
My joy shall be
His face to see,
And bowing there with loud acclaim
I’ll praise Him―Blessed be His name!
ANON.