by Joseph Scriven

At Mars Hill, we love to worship our God in song, and we sing to him every Sunday. But worship isn’t just singing cheery praise songs and pretending everything is happy. Sometimes our worship is bearing our grief and distress to him, as David does over and over in the Psalms as well as the prophet Jeremiah, and praising God in that grief.

The below was written by the Irish poet Joseph Scriven, who lost two fiancés during his lifetime, but wrote this as an encouragement to his mother who was living a continent away. The poem was later turned into the well-known hymn of the same name.

What’s remarkable is that, while Scriven clearly experienced deep, tragic grief, this isn’t a song of lament. He’s praising God as our sovereign King, our refuge, our comforter, and our strength.

What a friend we have in Jesus, 

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit, 

O what needless pain we bear, 

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? 

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful? 

Who will all our sorrows share? 

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, 

Cumbered with a load of care? 

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? 

Take it to the Lord in prayer! 

In his arms he’ll take and shield you; 

You will find a solace there. 

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to you in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded, 

Face to face will be our prayer, 

Glory, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

For more, check out these videos from the Rebel’s Guide to Joy sermon series that tell the often painful stories behind other famous hymns and songs.