I Have a Friend

Top Media Text Author Translator Author Text Info Tune Timeline Page Scans Instances

I have a Friend so patient, kind, forbearing

Author: Carol Olof Rosenius; Translator: John Jesperson; Author: Gustaf Palmqvist (1851)
Tune: JAG HAR EN VÅN (55111)
Published in 14 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 I have a Friend so patient, kind, forbearing,
Of all my friends this Friend doth love me best;
Though I am weak and sinful, yet, when sharing
His love and mercy I am ever blest.

2 He is my Lord, my Friend, my loving Brother,
And Jesus Christ is His most blessèd Name,
He loves more tenderly than any mother:
To rest in Him is more than wealth and fame.

3 My poor and wretched soul He liberated,
From sin and condemnation, death and hell;
The serpent's head is bruised, his might defeated,
Rejoice, my ransomed soul, for all is well!

4 I am redeemed; no more the law prevaileth,
And Christ, the Lord, is my Redeemer's Name;
His precious blood more than my sin availeth;
His merit covers all my guilt and shame.

5 With hallelujahs here I'd tell the story,
My Lord to praise, to laud and magnify,
And praise His Name for evermore in glory,
Before His throne, with all the saints on high.

Amen.

Source: The Hymnal and Order of Service #468

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ top

Author: Carol Olof Rosenius

Rosenius, Carl Olof. (Nysätra, Sweden, February 3, 1816--February 24, 1868). Lutheran. Son of a state church preacher with pietist convictions. University of Uppsala, 1838-1839. Tutor at Lenna. Lay preacher and evangelist. Editor of Pietisten, 1842-1868, a monthly which played a major role in the revival and free church movement. In order to stem the tide of separation and keep the revival within the state church, Rosenius and his friends organized "Evangeliska Fosterlandsstiftelsen" (Evangelical National Foundation) in 1856. In his activities as a lay preacher Rosenius was often accompanied by the singer-hymnist, Oscar Ahnfelt, and his lyrics were published in the latter's Andeliga Sånger (Spiritual Songs). Author of "Var jag går" (Wher… Go to person page >

Translator: John Jesperson

(no biographical information available about John Jesperson.) Go to person page >

Author: Gustaf Palmqvist

Palmqvist, Gustaf. (Solberga, Sweden, May 26, 1812--September 18, 1867, Stockholm). Baptist. School teacher and organist in Gustavsberg and Stockholm. From 1851 to 1857 was in the U.S. and served Baptist churches in Rock Island and Chicago, Illinois. Upon return to Sweden conducted special Bible courses for the training of preachers. With his brother, Per, compiled a hymnal, Pilgrims-Sånger, 1859 and 1862. Some of the hymns were originals and many were translations of English songs by Palmqvist. Author of "Jag har en vän, så huld, så mild, så tålig" (I Have a Friend, So Patient, Kind, Forbearing). --J. Irving Erickson, DNAH Archives Go to person page >

^ top

Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	I have a Friend so patient, kind, forbearing
Title:	I Have a Friend
Swedish Title:	Jag har en vän, så huld, så mild, så tålig
Author:	Carol Olof Rosenius
Author:	Gustaf Palmqvist (1851)
Translator:	John Jesperson
Meter:	11.10.11.10
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain