Closer, Lord, to Thee I cling,
Closer still to Thee;
Safe be­neath Thy shel­ter­ing wing,
I would ev­er be;
Rude the blast of doubt and sin,
Fierce as­saults with­out, with­in,
Help me, Lord, the bat­tle win—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

Closer yet, O Lord, my rock,
Refuge of my soul;
Dread I not the tem­pest shock,
Tho’ the bil­lows roll.
Wildest storms can­not alarm,
For to me can come no harm,
Leaning on Thy lov­ing arm—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

Closer still, my help, my stay,
Closer, clos­er still;
Meekly there I learn to say,
Fa­ther, not my will;
Learn that in af­flict­ion’s hour,
When the clouds of sor­row low­er,
Love di­rects Thy hand of pow­er—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.

Closer, Lord, to Thee I come,
Light of life di­vine;
Thro’ the ever bless­èd Son,
Joy and peace are mine;
Let me in Thy love ab­ide,
Keep me ev­er near Thy side,
In the Rock of Ag­es hide—
Closer, Lord, to Thee.