I have a friend, a pre­cious friend,
Who keeps me day by day,
On whom my hopes of Heav’n de­pend,
Who is my guide and stay.

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My dear­est friend, my tru­est friend,
My friend in life, my friend in death,
Unto His name let praise as­cend,
With glad, with glad ex­ult­ant breath.

I need not feel one anx­ious thought,
Or know one press­ing care,
But that I may—His word hath taught—
Take un­to Him in pray­er.

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O sinner, take Him for your friend,
His grace is free to all;
He will the trust­ing soul de­fend,
Nor suf­fer it to fall.

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’Tis sweet to feel His pre­sence near,
And on His strength re­ly,
To know that He thro’ life will cheer,
Support when death is nigh.

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’Tis sweet to work for such a friend;
Dear Lord, our ef­forts guide,
For if Thou wilt Thy bless­ing send,
The work shall e’er abide.

Refrain