Scripture Verse

I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth, but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15

Introduction

portrait
Isaac H. Meredith (1872–1962)

Words: Eli­za E. Hew­itt, in Sun­day School Hymns No. 1 (New York: Tul­lar-Me­re­dith, 1903), num­ber 168.

Music: Is­aac H. Me­re­dith (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Eliza E. Hewitt (1851–1920)

Lyrics

There’s an eye that watch­es o’er me,
Everywhere I’m called to go;
There’s a light that shines be­fore me,
Brighter still the way will grow;
There’s a ten­der hand to guide me,
Thro’ the sun­light and the shade;
There’s a friend who walks be­side me,
Ready to de­fend and aid.

Refrain

Jesus is the pre­cious friend,
Brightening life’s change­ful story;
To His name be all the glo­ry,
He will guide me and de­fend;
Joy, joy, hap­py songs as­cend;
He will comfort me in sad­ness,
Fill my heart with peace and glad­ness,
Jesus is my pre­cious friend.

O, to love this friend more dearly,
Yielding all my life to Him!
O, to trust Him more sin­cere­ly,
Whether skies be bright or dim;
Let my daily ser­vice praise Him,
Let my voice ho­san­nas swell;
Grateful ca­rols I would raise Him,
Jesus do­eth all things well.

Refrain

Never will this friend for­sake me,
I would in His love con­fide,
Then what­ev­er ills o’er­take me,
Peace shall in my soul abide;
O, how great is His sal­va­tion,
O, what mer­cy He’ll ex­tend!
He my hope and ex­pec­ta­tion,
He, my ev­er­last­ing friend.

Refrain