February 18, 2017 (Saturday)
I have a pocket knife that belonged to my grandfather. I remember when I was still a pre-schooler I would ask him to let me use his knife. He would always open it for me and as he handed it to me, would say, “Be careful, now. Don’t cut yourself.” Looking back I think I cut myself nearly every time. He was always patient and kind to me, applied a small bandage and reminded me to be more careful the next time. I dearly loved him. The knife is precious to me, but the memory of him and his love is even more precious. Charles Gabriel felt that way about the Lord and gave us this hymn. Indeed Jesus is very precious to us all.
Charles H. Gabriel
1902
So precious is Jesus, my Savior, my King;
His praise all the day long with rapture I sing;
To Him in my weakness for strength I can cling,
For He is so precious to me.
Refrain:
For He is so precious to me,
For He is so precious to me;
‘Tis heaven below, my Redeemer to know,
For He is so precious to me.
He stood at my heart’s door ‘mid sunshine and rain,
And patiently waited an entrance to gain;
What shame that so long He entreated in vain,
For He is so precious to me.
I stand on the mountain of blessing at last,
No cloud in the heavens a shadow to cast,
His smile is upon me; the valley is past,
For He is so precious to me.
I praise Him because He appointed a place
Where someday, through faith in His wonderful grace,
I know I shall see Him, shall look on His face,
For He is so precious to me.
Listen – Dick Anthony’s 16 Singing Men