What a Friend
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Description
"What a friend" is a powerful song about the nature of our friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ. His friendship is truly love beyond a brother's - costly yet free, lasting unconditionally forever. It is this friendship that we desire to soften our hearts - to make us more loving. How quickly we forget our status in Christ - that we, like Abraham (James 2:23), are considered friends of God!Lyrics
There is one above all others,Well deserves the name of Friend:
His is love beyond a brother's:
Costly, free, and knows no end;
They who once His kindness own,
Find it everlasting love.
Which of all our friends, to save us,
Could, or would, have shed his blood?
But the Savior died to have us
Reconciled in Him to God:
This was boundless love indeed!
Jesus is a friend in need.
Chorus:
O, for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love:
We, alas! forget too often
What a Friend we have above,
What a Friend above.
When he lived among us, humbled,
"Friend of sinners" was His name;
Now, above all glory lifted,
He rejoices in the same:
Still He calls them brethren, friends,
And to ev'ry need attends.
Could we bear from one another
What He daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
Loves us though we treat Him thus;
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
Words by John Newton (1725-1807). Music by David L. Ward.
© 2002 ThousandTongues.org, admin by Thousand Tongues.
© 2002 ThousandTongues.org, admin by Thousand Tongues.
