I Have Found aFriend in Jesus - Hymn with Lyrics

1. I have found a friend in Jesus-
He's ev'rything to me,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley- in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He's my comfort, in trouble He's my stay,
He tells me ev'ry care on Him to roll;
He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the greatest of ten thousand to my soul.

2. He all my grief has taken and all my sorrows borne,
In temptation He's my strong and mighty tow'r;
I have all for Him forsaken and all my idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow'r.
Though all the world forsake me and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal;
He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the greatest of ten thousand to my soul.

3. He will never, never leave me nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I've nothing now to fear-
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory I'll see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll;
He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the greatest of ten thousand to my soul.
 

Scripture; 

Deuteronomy 31:6; 

Psalm 36:8; 

Proverbs 17:17; 

Song of Solomon 2:1

The hymn "I Have Found a Friend in Jesus," also known as "The Lily of the Valley," is a well-loved Christian song that expresses deep personal devotion and the joy of a close relationship with Jesus Christ. The story behind this hymn reflects its themes of reliance on Jesus for comfort and strength.

Origins of the Hymn

• The lyrics were written by William Charles Fry (1837–1882), a Christian minister, musician, and poet from England.
• Fry was a committed member of the Salvation Army, an organization known for its evangelical outreach and musical expression. He worked as a bricklayer while contributing significantly to the Salvation Army's music ministry.

Background of the Song

• The hymn was first published in 1881, with Fry's lyrics set to music by American composer William S. Hays. Hays had originally composed the tune for a secular song, but it was adapted to fit Fry's spiritual words.
• Fry's lyrics are inspired by several Bible passages, notably Song of Solomon 2:1, where Jesus is symbolically referred to as "the Lily of the Valley," a title that signifies His beauty, purity, and life-giving presence.
• Other biblical allusions include Jesus as the "bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16) and a friend who "sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).