Classic Hymns

Blessed Assurance

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Gerhardt wrote his poem in 1653, five years after the end of the Thirty Years' War.

The text of originally fifteen stanzas of six lines each begins with admiration of God's creation, observed in gardens and in nature. The second part, beginning with stanza 9, reflects paradise as an even greater garden.

The final two stanzas contain prayers: "... dass ich dir werd ein guter Baum" ("... that I become a good tree for you"); "Verleihe, daß zu deinem Ruhm ich deines Gartens schöne Blum und Pflanze möge bleiben" ("Grant that I may remain a beautiful flower and plant of your garden"); and "laß mich bis zur letzten Reis an Leib und Seele grünen" ("let me be green in body and soul until the final journey").[1]

The song was first published the same year (1653) in the fifth edition of Johann Crüger's hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica.[2]

Many publications contain only stanzas 1 to 3 and 8. In the abridged version, the hymn became a Volkslied (folk song).

This version is sung by The Regensburger Domspatzen (literally: Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows) is the cathedral choir at the Regensburg Cathedral in Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany. The boys' choir dates back to 976, and consists of boys and young men only. They perform in liturgy and concert, and have made international tours and recordings.

Biblical Foundations