156 I Have a Friend Whose Faithful Love

I have a Friend, whose faithful love

Is more than all the world to me:

'Tis higher than the heights above,

And deeper than the soundless sea;

So old, so new,

So strong, so true;

Before the earth received its frame,

He loved me - Blessed be His name!

2 He held the highest place above.

Adored by all the sons of flame,

Yet such His self-denying love,

He laid aside His crown and came

To seek the lost,

And at the cost

Of heavenly rank and earthly fame

He sought me - Blessed be His name!

3 It was a lonely path He trod,

From every human soul apart;

Known only to Himself and God

Was all the grief that filled His heart,

Yet from the track

He turned not back,

Till where I lay in want and shame,

He found me - Blessed be His name!

4 Then dawned at last that day of dread,

When desolate, yet undismayed,

With wearied frame and thorn-crowned head,

He, God-forsaken, man-betrayed,

Was then made sin

On Calvary,

And, dying there in grief and shame,

He saved me - Blessed be His name!

5 Long as I live my song shall tell

The wonders of His dying love;

And when at last I go to dwell

With Him His sovereign grace to prove,

My joy shall be

His face to see,

And bowing there with loud acclaim

I'll praise Him - Blessed be His name!

Author:

C. A. Tydeman

Composer:

Anon.