I Need Thee

I NEED Thee, precious Jesus! for I am full of sin;
My soul is dark and guilty, my heart is dead within;
I need the cleansing fountain, where I can always flee,—
The blood of Christ most precious, the sinner’s perfect plea.

I need Thee, precious Jesus! for I am very poor,
A stranger and a pilgrim, I have no earthly store;
I need the love of Jesus to cheer me on my way,
To guide my doubting footsteps, to be my strength and stay.

I need Thee, precious Jesus! I need a friend like Thee,
A friend to soothe and comfort, a friend to care for me;
I need the heart of Jesus, to feel each anxious care,
To tell my every trouble, and all my sorrow share.

I need Thee, precious Jesus! for I am very blind,
A weak and foolish wanderer, with a dark and evil mind;
I need the light of Jesus to tread the thorny road,
To guide me safe to glory, where I shall see my God.

I need Thee, precious Jesus! I need Thee day by day,
To fill me with Thy fulness, to lead me on my way;
I need Thy Holy Spirit to teach me what I am,
To show me more of Jesus,—to point me to the Lamb.

I need Thee, precious Jesus! and hope to see Thee soon
Encircled with the rainbow and seated on Thy throne;
There, with Thy blood-bought children, my joy shall ever be
To sing Thy praises, Jesus!—to gaze, my Lord, on Thee.