182. O Jesus, Friend Unfailing

7.6.7.6.D.
by H.K. Burlingham, 1865, from German
1
O Jesus, Friend unfailing,
 
How dear art Thou to me!
 
Are cares or fears assailing?
 
I find my strength in Thee.
 
Why should my feet grow weary
 
Of this my pilgrim way?
 
Rough though the path and dreary,
 
It ends in perfect day.
2
Naught, naught I court as pleasure,
 
Compared, O Christ, with Thee,
 
Thy sorrow without measure
 
Earned peace and joy for me!
 
I love to own, Lord Jesus,
 
Thy claims o’er me divine,
 
Bought with Thy blood most precious,
 
Whose can I be but Thine?
3
What fills my heart with gladness?
 
’Tis Thine abounding grace;
 
Where can I look in sadness,
 
But, Savior, on Thy face?
 
My all is Thy providing — 
 
Thy love can ne’er grow cold;
 
In Thee, my refuge, hiding — 
 
No good wilt Thou withhold.
4
Oh worldly pomp and glory,
 
Your charms are spread in vain!
 
I’ve heard a sweeter story,
 
I’ve found a truer gain:
 
Where Christ a place prepareth,
 
There is my loved abode;
 
There shall I gaze on Jesus,
 
There shall I dwell with God.
Echoes of Grace Hymnbook Index