I Need Thee Every Hour

 

"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near
to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy for our failures
and find grace to help in good time for every need, appropriate
and well-timed help, coming just when we need it."
(Hebrews 14:10)

Picture courtesy/Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty Images

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;

Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;

And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;

O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;

Every hour I need Thee;

O bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.

"I Need Thee Every Hour"
(1871)
Annie Sherwood Hawks
(1835-1918)
American poetess and hymn writer

The Story Behind The Song

Annie Sherwood Hawks was considered "A Woman of the (19th) Century"
due to the many beautiful poems and hymns she wrote during her lifetime.
Although she had little schooling and no formal training as a writer, 
Annie had a passion for books and reading and by the young age 
 of fourteen was submitting poems to a local newspaper.

Her first published poem in a Troy, New York newspaper
became quite popular and inspired her to write more poems.
In the late 1850's Annie married Charles Hial Hawks, a
resident of Hoosick, New York.  They later moved to
Brooklyn New York, where they joined the 
Hanson Place Baptist Church.

The pastor of the church, Reverend Dr. Robert Lowry
was impressed with Annie's work and encouraged her to 
 keep writing hymns.  He also co-wrote many of her hymns.
 In 1872, she wrote "I Need Thee Every Hour".

In her own words, Annie told of her inspiration for this song,
which after it's publication, was translated into more foreign languages
than any other modern hymn at the time of her death.

"One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy 
 with my regular household tasks, she explained.  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, "I Need Thee Every Hour" were ushered into my mind,
the thought at once taking full possession of me..."

I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great
throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the
shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood
something of the comforting power in the words which I had been
permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace."