Hymn
Christ, a True Friend
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.
Which of all our friends, to save us,
Could or would have shed his blood?
But this Saviour died to have us
Reconciled in Him to God:
This was boundless love indeed;
Jesus is a Friend in need.
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.
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:
But when home our souls are brought,
We will love Thee as we ought.
Amen.
Christ, a True Friend — Text from The Hymnal and Order of Service, 1926. Public domain. https://yeshuanow.com/hymns/christ-a-true-friend
Chord chart coming soon
Want to play this one? Leave your email and we'll let you know when the chords are ready.
Questions about this hymn
Who wrote Christ, a True Friend?
The words of Christ, a True Friend were written by John Newton; the version here was published in 1926. The library holds 38 more hymns by John Newton, including Celestial Watering and Rejoice, Believer, in the Lord.
Is Christ, a True Friend public domain?
Yes. The words here are taken from The Hymnal and Order of Service, published in 1926. Works published before 1931 are out of copyright in the United States, so you can print, project, perform and record this hymn freely. How we source and check every hymn.
What is the metre of Christ, a True Friend?
Christ, a True Friend is in 8.7.8.7.7.7. Hymns in the same metre can usually be sung to the same tunes — for example, "Whosoever Will", Once in Royal David's City and Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty.