One There Is, above All Others

A friend that sticketh closer than a brother by John Newton


 * 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 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.


 * Men, when raised to lofty stations,
 * Often know their friends no more;
 * Slight and scorn their poor relations
 * Though they valued them before.
 * But our Savior always owns
 * Those whom He redeemed with groans.


 * 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.


 * Could we bear from one another,
 * What He daily bears from us?
 * Yet this glorious Friend and Brother,
 * Loves us though we treat Him thus:
 * Though for good we render ill,
 * He accounts us brethren still.


 * 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.