Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family. I want to share a beautiful passage, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 – ESV). These words were a strong anchor to a lady named Annie S. Hawks. She was from Brooklyn. She was born in Hoosick, NY on May 28, 1835. She wrote several hymns, and at that time became very popular. Several Sunday school music collections included numerous of her lyrics, but she is more famous for the very popular and loved hymn called, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” The theme of this hymn is a supplication for the presence of God in the life of every believer; each stanza starts with this petition, “I need Thee every hour.” She was a member of a church where Robert Lowry was pastor, and one day she showed him these lyrics, just the stanzas without a refrain, and Pastor Lowry wrote the familiar refrain with a simple melody. His purpose was that everybody can learn this hymn. Musically, this hymn has a very simple melody (easy to memorize), with a very easy harmony (not strange notes), but with powerful words (powerful message to share). We need our Savior every day, in every situation of our lives. In happiness or sadness, in joy or sorrows, in good days and bad days. Jesus said, “For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5b – ESV).

Please, read this hymn without singing, thus you can follow the words as a prayer, and maybe you can see the message in a very different way, then you can read it again singing it as a worship time to our Lord.

1 I need thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine
can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need thee, O I need thee,
every hour I need thee.
O bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee.

2 I need thee every hour;
stay thou near by;
temptations lose their power
when thou art nigh.

3 I need thee every hour,
in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide,
or life is vain.

4 I need thee every hour;
teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises
in me fulfill.

5 I need thee every hour,
Most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed,
thou Blessed Son!

In His service,

​Israel