My truest Friend abides in heaven

Representative Text

1 My truest Friend abides in heaven;
On earth our friends are rare and few;
The world no proof to me hath given
Of friendship constant, firm and true.
And so my soul doth here contend
That Jesus is my truest Friend.

2 Men in their friendship often falter,
But Jesus like a rock doth stand;
Tho' storms of woe my fortune alter,
He holds me firmly by the hand;
He is my stay till life doth end:
My Jesus is my truest Friend.

3 For me He suffers crucifixion.
For me He sheds His precious blood;
He comforts me in my affliction,
His counsels all are wise an good;
Upon His word I may depend:
He is indeed my truest Friend.

4 My Friend, such faithful love possessing,
My Friend, whose own I am for aye,
My Friend, so tender and caressing,
Beyond the grave my Friend will stay.
May I not then in truth contend
That Jesus is my truest Friend?


Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #631

Author: Benjamin Schmolck

Schmolck, Benjamin, son of Martin Schmolck, or Schmolcke, Lutheran pastor at Brauchitschdorf (now Chrόstnik) near Liegnitz in Silesia (now Poland) was born at Brauchitschdorf, Dec. 21, 1672. He entered the Gymnasium at Lauban in 1688, and spent five years there. After his return home he preached for his father a sermon which so struck the patron of the living that he made Benjamin an allowance for three years to enable him to study theology. He matriculated, at Michaelmas, 1693, at the University of Leipzig, where he came under the influence of J. Olearius, J. B. Carpzov, and others, and throughout his life retained the character of their teaching, viz. a warm and living practical Christianity, but Churchly in tone and not Pietistic. In th… Go to person page >

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First Line: My truest Friend abides in heaven
Author: Benjamin Schmolck

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American Lutheran Hymnal #631

Songs of Praise #d202

Songs of Praise for Sunday Schools, Church Societies and the Home #d207

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