Best Friend
What kind of friends do we have ?
Our Best 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,
Would consent to shed His blood?
But our Jesus 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 abased,
Friend of sinner was His name;
Now above all glory raised
He rejoices in the same:
Still he calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends.
Could we bear for one another,
What He daily bears for us?
Yet this glorious friend and brother
Loves us, tho’ we treat Him thus:
Tho’ 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 shall love thee as we ought.
—John Newton
