Scripture Verse

If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

Introduction

portrait
Phoebe Knapp (1839–1908)

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in The Less­er Hym­nal (New York & Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Hitch­cock & Wal­den and Nel­son & Phil­lips, 1875), num­ber 341 (stan­zas 1–3). The last stan­za ap­peared in Hymns of the Se­cond Com­ing of Our Lord Je­sus Christ, ed­it­ed by Bai­lie Brown & Pe­ter P. Bil­horn (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Bil­horn Bro­thers, 1911), num­ber 42.

Music: Phoe­be P. Knapp (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Fanny Crosby (1820–1915)

Lyrics

Nearer the cross! my heart can say
I am com­ing near­er,
Nearer the cross from day to day,
I am com­ing near­er;
Nearer the cross where Je­sus died,
Nearer the fount­ain’s crim­son tide,
Nearer my Sav­ior’s wound­ed side,
I am com­ing near­er,
I am com­ing near­er.

Nearer the Christ­ian’s mer­cy seat,
I am com­ing near­er;
Feasting my soul on man­na sweet
I am com­ing near­er;
Stronger in faith, more clear I see
Jesus who gave Him­self for me;
Nearer to Him I still would be,
Still I’m com­ing near­er
Still I’m com­ing near­er.

Nearer in pray­er my hope as­pires,
I am com­ing near­er;
Deeper the love my soul de­sires,
I am com­ing near­er;
Nearer the end of toil and care,
Nearer the joy I long to share,
Nearer the crown I soon shall wear;
I am com­ing near­er;
I am com­ing near­er.

Nearer the day when Christ will come,
I am com­ing near­er;
Watching and waiting for the Lord,
He is com­ing near­er;
I shall be­hold Him in the sky,
I shall be with Him by and by,
Watch, for the day is draw­ing nigh,
Christ is com­ing nearer,
Christ is com­ing near­er.