I Need Thee Every Hour

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

Experience the timeless beauty of “I Need Thee Every Hour” in this heartfelt performance by Life in 3D, produced by The Good and the Beautiful. This soul-stirring arrangement brings a message of peace, faith, and reliance on God, reminding us that His presence is our greatest comfort. The tenderness of the Lord’s presence is felt in this hymn’s comforting lyrics by Annie Sherwood Hawks.

  • “I Need Thee Every Hour” Lyrics

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

    I need Thee every hour,
    Stay Thou nearby;
    Temptations lose their power
    When Thou art nigh.

    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,
    In joy or pain;
    Come quickly and abide,
    Or life is vain. [Refrain]

    I need Thee every hour,
    Most Holy One;
    Oh, make me Thine indeed,
    Thou blessed Son. [Refrain]

  • Click on the image to download a PDF of the precious lyrics of “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

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Watch this gentle video of “I Need Thee Every Hour” and be reminded of the Savior’s love for you.

The Story Behind “I Need Thee Every Hour”

One peaceful June morning in 1872, Annie Sherwood Hawks busied herself with her daily household tasks. Feeling the presence of the Savior, she called out to Him, "I need Thee every hour." 

It wasn’t until much later in life, after experiencing her own great loss, that she more deeply understood the solace these lyrics brought in times of despair. She reflected with reverent awe on that morning and the words she spoke:

[I]t was wafted out to the world on the wings of love and joy, rather than under the stress of a great personal sorrow, with which it has so often been associated in the minds of those who sing it. 
[That morning] 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.

As a young girl, Mrs. Hawks had been fond of writing verse, having her first work published in the local town paper. In adulthood, she married and raised her family in Brooklyn, New York. Her pastor, Reverend Robert Lowry, also a composer, suggested she write verse for hymns. A few months later, Mrs. Hawks penned the comforting lyrics of “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Reverend Lowry set the words to music and brought them to a regional Sunday school convention. Moved by the comforting words, attendees shared the hymn with their home churches all across the country.

With a humble and grateful heart, Mrs. Hawks gave credit to the Lord for filling her mind with these peaceful words. In her lifetime she wrote over 400  hymns.

  • Click on the image to download a free keepsake PDF of “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

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Coming Soon!

This hymn is part of our forthcoming music appreciation course. Visit our Coming Soon page for the latest updates on this and other upcoming courses.

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1 comment

Nancy Irizarry

Inspiring to rejoice Lord Jesus Christ Forever, we do need Our Lord God every minute we breathe! Hallelujah

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