A Great Hymn

 376 Friend. 8.7.7.7.

¹ ONE there is 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 prove,

Find it everlasting love.

² Which of all our friends to save us,

Could or would have shed their blood;

But our Jesus died to have us

Reconciled in Him to God:

This was boundless love indeed!

Jesus is a friend in need.

³ When He lived on earth abasèd,

Friend of sinners was His name;

Now above all glory raisèd,

He rejoices in the same;

Still He calls them brethren, friends,

And to all their wants attends.

⁴ Oh for grace our hearts to soften!

Teach us, Lord, at length to love!

We, alas! forget too often

What a friend we have above:

But when home our souls are brought,

We shall love Thee as we ought.

John Newton, 1779.

 C. H. Spurgeon, Our Own Hymn Book: A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Public, Social and Private Worship (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1883).