This song has been going through my mind a lot lately so I thought I would share it with you. I think I first heard this when I was a teenager at special evangelistic meetings in our church.

I have a book – Hymns of Our Faith – that I sometimes look up the hymn I’m doing. There was an interesting quote from the author about the writing of this hymn.

I was 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.

The thing that struck me about this quote is that it is the line –  I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain – that stood out to me in this song. We often think about needing the Lord in pain, but do we think about needing Him in joy? I think we need Him to help us remember to be thankful for whatever the joy is. An unthankful attitude can lead to sadness. So, yes, we need Jesus in joy and pain.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

 I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

 I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

 I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

~Annie S. Hawks