Jesus, Where’er Thy People Meet - Hymn with Lyrics

1.Jesus, where’er Thy people meet,
There they behold Thy mercy-seat;
Where’er they seek Thee, Thou art found,
With grace and mercy to abound.

2.For Thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind;
Such ever bring Thee where they come,
And going, take Thee to their home.

3.Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few,
Thy former mercies here renew;
Here, to our waiting hearts, proclaim
The sweetness of Thy saving Name.

4.Here may we prove the power of prayer
To strengthen faith and sweeten care;
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring Thy light before our eyes.

5.Lord, we are few, but Thou art near;
Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear;
Oh, rend the heavens, come quickly down,
And make our waiting hearts Thine own.

6.Command Thy blessing in this hour;
And as the Spirit full of pow’r
With life and vision fill this place,
That all Thy purpose we may trace.

7.O Thou, our Head, our Life, our Guide,
May nought in life or death divide
The saints in Thy communion blessed,
That all Thy fulness be expressed.

Scripture;  Matthew 7:7-8; Psalm 144:5; Genesis 28:10-22; Jeremiah 29:12-13

The hymn "Jesus, Where'er Thy People Meet" was written in 1748 by William Cowper (1731–1800), one of the great English hymn writers and poets of the 18th century.

Background

William Cowper, known for his struggles with mental health and deep spiritual convictions, collaborated with John Newton (the author of Amazing Grace) on the Olney Hymns, a famous hymn collection first published in 1779. "Jesus, Where'er Thy People Meet" was one of Cowper's contributions to this collection.

Theme of the Hymn

The hymn focuses on the idea that God is present wherever His people gather in sincere worship, whether in grand cathedrals or humble settings. It reflects the biblical promise in Matthew 18:20:

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

The hymn emphasizes God’s accessibility and the blessing of His presence, highlighting the unity and sanctity of Christian worship.

Cowper’s poetic skill and deep faith shine through in this hymn, which has been cherished for its simple yet profound message of God’s nearness to His people.