Words: , Hymns of the Spir­it, 1864.

In a ve­ry real sense “I Look to Thee in Ev­ery Need” is au­to­bi­o­graph­ic­al. It grew out of the au­thor’s ca­reer, which was check­ered by ill health and cre­at­ed the need for com­fort and strength. The hymn voic­es the au­thor’s trust in God. Of his ma­ny beau­ti­ful hymns this was his favorite. In it he lived, worked, and prayed. He re­peat­ed it to him­self be­fore drop­ping asleep. With it on his lips he be­gan the day, and it was not un­u­su­al to hear him hum it on the street.

Music: Pal­my­ra, , 1863. Al­ter­nate tune:

  • O Je­su, Evan­gel­isch­es Ge­sang­buch (Hirsch­berg, Ger­ma­ny: 1741)

I look to Thee in every need, and never look in vain;
I feel Thy strong and tender love, and all is well again.
The thought of Thee is mightier far than sin and pain and sorrow are.

Discouraged in the work of life, disheartened by its load,
Shamed by its failures or its fears, I sink beside the road.
But let me only think of Thee and then new heart springs up in me.

Thy calmness bends serene above, my restlessness to still;
Around me flows Thy quickening life, to nerve my faltering will.
Thy presence fills my solitude, Thy providence turns all to good.

Enfolded deep in Thy dear love, held in Thy law, I stand;
Thy hand in all things I behold, and all things in Thy hand.
Thou leadest me by unsought ways, and turn my mourning into praise.