"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" is a Christian hymn originally written by preacher Joseph M. Scriven as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. Scriven originally published the poem anonymously, and only received full credit for it in the 1880s. The tune to the hymn was composed by Charles Crozat Converse in 1868. The hymn has been translated into many languages and has different versions with different lyrics.
The lyrics of the hymn speak of the comfort and peace that can be found in Jesus, who is described as a friend who bears our sins and griefs. The hymn also emphasizes the privilege of being able to bring everything to God in prayer. The lyrics acknowledge the trials and temptations of life, but encourage the listener to take their burdens to the Lord in prayer and find peace.
