The Very Friend I Need

When I’m sad and hea­vy la­den

Burdened with the weight of sin

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need;

To the blood­stained cross He points me

And He gives me peace with­in

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need.

O

He is the best of friends

For His good­ness nev­er ends

And His love will ev­ery hu­man thought ex­ceed;

Let me love Him more and more

’Till I stand on glo­ry’s shore;

O

Je­sus is the ve­ry friend I need.

When I’m strug­gling with temp­ta­tion

When my strength shall al­most fail

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need;

For His arm will bring de­liv­er­ance

And His grace will still pre­vail

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need.

When I drink the cup of sor­row

When I tread the path of grief

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need;

In His Word is con­so­la­tion

In His pre­sence sweet re­lief

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need.

When I reach the si­lent riv­er

When I wait be­side the tide

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need;

He will bear me o’er the bil­lows

To the ra­di­ant morn­ing side

Jesus is the ve­ry friend I need.