A hymn and its story
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Words by Joseph M. Scriven, 1855 · written to comfort his mother
A man who had buried more grief than most wrote this hymn quietly, to comfort his mother, never meaning it to be sung by the world.
The story behind it
Joseph Scriven's life was marked by sorrow. Born in Ireland, he was about to be married when his fiancee drowned in an accident the night before their wedding. He emigrated to Canada, and there, according to the account passed down, a second engagement also ended in loss when the woman he loved died before they could marry. He lived simply and gave much of what he had to the poor.
Around 1855, hearing that his mother back in Ireland was ill and grieving and unable to be with her, Scriven wrote her a poem of comfort. He did not sign it or intend it for publication; it was one hurting soul reminding another that they were not alone. Only later was it discovered and set to music, and the private consolation of a grieving son became one of the most sung hymns in the world. When someone asked how he came to write such words, he is said to have replied, 'The Lord and I did it between us.'
The words
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
The Scripture behind it
Why it still moves us
Because it was written to comfort, not to impress, the hymn is disarmingly plain, and that is its power. It makes one simple point: we forfeit peace and carry needless pain simply because we do not bring things to God in prayer. Scriven had every reason to grow bitter, and instead he became convinced that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, one to whom every grief can be carried. His own sorrow is what makes the invitation trustworthy.
Sing it, and mean it
A hymn is a prayer you can carry in your chest. The people who wrote these did not write from a stage; they wrote from shipwreck and sickbeds, from ordinary faithful mornings, and handed us words for the days we cannot find our own. You do not have to sing well. You only have to lift it, and mean it, to the One it is about.
Meet the One these hymns are aboutWorship in The Living BreadCarry it to God in prayerRead Proverbs 18Jesus Christ is Lord.
Frequently asked questions
- Who wrote What a Friend We Have in Jesus?
- Joseph M. Scriven, an Irishman who emigrated to Canada, wrote the words around 1855 as a poem to comfort his ailing mother. It was later set to music by Charles C. Converse.
- What is the story behind What a Friend We Have in Jesus?
- Scriven knew deep loss, including a fiancee who drowned before their wedding. He wrote the poem privately to comfort his grieving mother across the ocean, never intending it for the public. It was discovered later and became a beloved hymn.
- What is the main message of the hymn?
- That Jesus is a faithful friend to whom we can bring every sin, grief, and care, and that we often suffer needless pain simply because we fail to 'take it to the Lord in prayer.'