The story behind the hymn
Joseph Scriven's fiancee drowned the evening before their wedding. He left Ireland for Canada to outrun the grief; a second engagement ended with the young woman's sudden death after a brief illness. Scriven settled at Port Hope, Ontario, and quietly gave himself away — sawing wood for widows who could not pay, giving away his clothes, living out the Sermon on the Mount so literally that neighbours thought him strange.
In 1855, hearing that his mother in Ireland was ill and sorrowing, and unable to go to her, he sent her a poem instead: what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. He never intended publication; when a visitor found the manuscript during Scriven's own last illness and asked about it, he said only, the Lord and I did it between us.
The hymn is a three-stanza argument against carrying weight alone: what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Every category is claimed — sins, griefs, trials, temptations, weakness, burdens — and the friendship is Christ's own word for it: henceforth I call you not servants... but I have called you friends. It has been the plain believer's hymn ever since; millions who could not follow a theology lecture have prayed their trouble through these lines.
The lyrics
What a Friend we have in Jesus,All our sins and griefs to bear!What a privilege to carryEverything to God in prayer!O what peace we often forfeit,O what needless pain we bear,All because we do not carryEverything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?Is there trouble anywhere?We should never be discouraged;Take it to the Lord in prayer.Can we find a friend so faithful,Who will all our sorrows share?Jesus knows our every weakness;Take it to the Lord 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.Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?Take it to the Lord in prayer;In His arms He'll take and shield thee,Thou wilt find a solace there.
Public domain. Free to sing, copy, print, and share.
The Scripture behind it
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
I have called you friends — the friendship the title claims.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Everything to God in prayer — the hymn is this verse, versified.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Casting all your care — the load-bearing promise behind stanza three.