I Need Thee Every Hour was written by Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowry in 1872. When this hymn was first published in 1873, this Bible verse was included underneath the title: “Without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5 KJV).
Each of the first four stanzas of this hymn dwells on a different facet of our dependence on God: our need for His peace, our inability to resist temptation alone, our need to find true meaning in life, and our desire to see God’s promises fulfilled. The fifth stanza is an intense plea for God’s presence.
I Need Thee Every Hour – Lyrics
I need thee every hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine
can peace afford.
(Refrain)
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 near by;
temptations lose their power
when thou art nigh.
(Refrain)
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.
(Refrain)
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.
(Refrain)
I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee!
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to thee.
