There is a Friend, that sticketh fast

Verse 1

There is a Friend, who sticketh fast, And keeps his love from first to last, And Jesus is his name; An earthly brother drops his hold, Is sometimes hot and sometimes cold, But Jesus is the same.

Verse 2

He loves his people, great and small, And, grasping hard, embraces all, Nor with a soul will part; No tribulations which they feel, No foes on earth, or fiends of hell, Shall tear them from his heart.

Verse 3

His love before all time began, And through all time it will remain, And evermore endure; Though rods and frowns are sometimes brought, And man may change, he changes not; His love abideth sure.

Verse 4

[A method strange this Friend has shown, Of making love divinely known To rebels doomed to die; Unasked, he takes our humblest form, And condescends to be a worm, To lift us up on high.]

Verse 5

[The law demanded blood for blood, And out he lets his vital flood To pay the mortal debt; He toils through life, and pants through death, And cries, with his expiring breath, “’Tis finished,” and complete!]

Verse 6

[Let all the ransomed of the Lord Exalt his love with one accord, And hallelujah sing; Adore the dying Friend of man, And bless him highly as you can; He is your God and King.]