HOW sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; ’Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary rest.
Dear name! the rock on which I build, My shield and hiding-place, My never-failing treasury, filled With boundless stores of grace.
Jesus! my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King; My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
Till then I would Thy love proclaim With every fleeting breath; And may the music of Thy name Refresh my soul in death!
John Newton, 1725-1807