“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Dec 13, 2025

Dr. J. Hernes M. Abante

Proverbs 18:24 - “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Everyone needs a friend, and the greatest friend we can have is our precious and gracious Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. This beautiful truth is captured in the beloved song, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

This heartfelt hymn was written and composed by Joseph Scriven, who was born in England, emigrated to Canada in 1845, and passed away at age 66 in 1886.

The song was a personal testimony of Joseph Scriven, who loved and served the Lord passionately. His care and concern for those in need, especially the elderly, were truly inspiring. It was born out of the struggles he faced throughout his life.

He composed this song as a tribute to his aging mother when he was ill and afraid to leave her without anyone to care for her. He never planned to share this song with anyone until a neighbor present during his serious illness discovered it written on paper and was touched by its message. When asked who composed the song, Scriven replied, “My Lord and I did it together.”

Joseph loved the Lord, but hardships and tragedies marked his life. He was led to the Savior after losing his fiancée to drowning on the eve of their wedding. That devastating loss brought him great grief, but it also brought the comfort of knowing the Lord saved him during his sorrow.

After moving to Canada, he became engaged to Eliza Roche. Sadly, tragedy struck once more, and Eliza died from illness before they could marry. Afterward, he dedicated himself to helping the sick, disabled, and elderly.

“What a Friend” was written to comfort his mother back in Ireland. Before the song’s discovery, Scriven was struggling with poor health, financial difficulties, and family hardships. He suffered from severe depression in his later years, and it’s said that no one knew whether his death was accidental or a suicide. A friend reported:

“We left him about midnight. I withdrew to an adjoining room, not to sleep but to watch and wait. You may imagine my surprise and dismay when, on visiting the room, I found it empty. All searches failed to find a trace of the missing man until a little after noon, when the body was discovered in the water nearby, lifeless and cold in death."

We may never know exactly what happened in his final hours. Still, it remains true that the song he left behind continues to bring comfort and encouragement to many, inspiring us to look to the Lord—because when human friendships fail, Jesus as our friend will never fail.

“What a Friend we have in Jesus.”

What a friend we have in Jesus,

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!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;