JESUS CHRIST >> LOVE OF CHRIST FOR US
SDAH 186
I’ve found a Friend; oh, such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: I’ve Found a Friend
James G. Small’s hymn proclaims the joy of knowing Jesus as a faithful and unfailing Friend. Written in 1863, it captures the peace and loyalty we find in a close walk with Christ. The tune FRIEND, composed by George C. Stebbins, supports the theme with tenderness and warmth. May we find comfort in singing of the Friend “so kind and true.”
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
How wonderful it is to be a friend of God. Especially if it’s a kind of friendship where you can really feel that you are His friend and He is yours as well. Now that we know how God loves us so much because of His sacrifice on Calvary, we may put our trust in God like Abraham of old because we know for sure that God is our friend. (Lesson 12, 2nd Quarter 2021 -Tuesday, The Faith of Abraham: Part 1, 6/15/2021)
James Grindlay Small wrote this hymn in 1863 and entitled it “Jesus the Friend,” publishing it three years later in his Psalms and Sacred Songs, 1866.
Small was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1817. He studied divinity at the University of Edinburgh under Thomas Chalmers, and with him joined the Free Church of Scotland at the disruption of 1843. He was appointed minister of the Free Church at Bervie, 12 miles north of Montrose. He wrote a prizewinning poem while at the university, and later published several volumes of verse. He died at Renfrew, near Glasgow, on February 11, 1888.
The tune FRIEND, named for these words, for which it was written, was composed in 1878 at Providence, Rhode Island, by George Coles Stebbins (1846–1945; see Biographies) during an evangelistic campaign.
Stanza:
1 – 1 John 4:19
Hosea 11:4
2 – Matthew 22:37
3 – Matthew 28:18
4 – Romans 8:38, 39
Text
1
I’ve found a Friend; oh, such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him.
And ’round my heart still closely twine
Those ties which nought can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever.
2
I’ve found a Friend; oh, such a Friend!
He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life,
But His own self He gave me.
Nought that I have my own I call,
I hold it for the Giver;
My heart, my strength, my life my all,
Are His, and His forever.
3
I’ve found a Friend; oh, such a Friend!
All power to Him is given;
To guard me on my upward course,
And bring me safe to heaven.
The eternal glories gleam afar,
To nerve my faint endeavor;
So now to watch, to work, to war,
And then to rest forever.
4
I’ve found a Friend; oh, such a Friend!
So kind, and true, and tender,
So wise a counselor and guide,
So mighty a defender.
From Him, who loveth me so well,
What power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, or earth, or hell?
No, I am His forever.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) 1 John 4:19; Hosea 11:4 (b) Matt 22:37 (c) Matt 28:18 (d) Rom 8:38, 39
Author
J.G. Small (1817-1888)
Year Published
1863
Hymn Tune
FRIEND
Metrical Number
8.7.8.7.D.
Composer
George G. Stebbins (1846-1945)
Tune Source
1878
