March 19, 2017 (Sunday)
Annie Sherwood Hawks was a member of Hanson Place Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York and Robert Lowry was her pastor. When she shared this poem with him, he wrote the music for it and added the chorus.
She wrote:
“One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks during a bright June morning [in 1872]. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me — ‘I Need Thee Every Hour. . . .'”
Words by Annie S. Hawks Tune by Robert Lowry 1872 Chorus: I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. Verses: I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain; Come quickly and abide, or life is vain. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will; And Thy rich promises in me fulfill. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One; Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son. |
Click here to hear Selah sing a special arrangement of this heart-rending hymn