1
One sat alone beside the highway begging,
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,
Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.
His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,
Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.
When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken;
When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
2
From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,
Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
He cut himself as demon pow’rs possessed him,
Then Jesus came and set the captive free.
Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
He cut himself as demon pow’rs possessed him,
Then Jesus came and set the captive free.
3
“Unclean! unclean!” the leper cried in torment,
The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;
The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim,
Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.
The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;
The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim,
Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.
4
Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,
For death had come and taken him away;
Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,
Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.
For death had come and taken him away;
Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,
Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.
5
So men today have found the Savior able,
They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.
They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.
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Detroit, MI, United States
Dr. Smith authored 35 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages. He has also written approximately 1,200 hymns, poems and gospel songs.
Another beloved hymn of his is "Deeper and Deeper", which was composed in this way:
"I was traveling secretary of the Pocket Testament League founded by Mrs. Charles Alexander. Arriving in Woodstock, Ontario, one day in the year 1911, I was invited to preach one Sunday morning in the largest Methodist Church in that city. As I walked along the street on my way to the church, the melody of this hymn suddenly sang itself into my heart and with it these words -
Into the heart of Jesus
Deeper and deeper I go,
Seeking to know the reason
Why He should love me so,
Why He should stoop to lift me
Up from the miry clay,
Saving my soul, making me whole,
Though I had wandered away.
I can still recall the joy and buoyancy of youth, the bright sunshine overhead, and the thrill with which I looked forward to my service that Sunday morning as again and again I hummed over the words. I wondered if I could retain the music in my mind until after the service was over. I was just 21 years of age. After preaching, I quickly returned to my rented room and the first thing I did was to write out the melody as God had given it to me. I had been able to remember it, and it has never changed from that day to this."
The writing of the remaining verses was much more difficult. Three years later, however, while pastoring the First Presbyterian Church of South Chicago, Dr. Smith completed his hymn.
"It was then 1914, and I was 24 years old. The writing of the hymn afforded me much joy, nor has it ever grown old. I still love it and always will, for it was the child of my youth. It proves conclusively that God can impart His deepest truths to the hearts of the young, for I doubt I have ever written anything more profound since." - '52 Hymn Stories Dramatized' by Kenneth W. Osbeck
Kaduna, State, Nigeria
I so much love this hymn. My spirit was lifted high when it was song in church fellowship
Potosi, MO, United States
Loved this song. Still do.
Willingboro, NJ, United States
This hymn reminds me that Gods grace through the blood of Christ is sufficient.
Is there anything too hard for God. Healer, Deliverer, Savior, Lord and the list goes on. Thank you for sharing this wonderful song of deliverance.
Phoenix, AZ, United States
My dad would often sin this song when I was a boy and it spoke to my heart about the grace, love, kindness, compassion and ability of our God. This song is truly rich with God's truth about he can help the sinful desperate souls among man. I will sing this son at the House of Refuge this evening.
Myrtle Beach, SC, United States
I woke up with this whole song on my heart this morning, and I hadn't thought of it in years. What a blessing!
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Brother Bill Petersen, a brother and I still share the gospel at Humbolt Park. Many good experiences in sharing with so many people. The park was made for people to meet the Savior Jesus!
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
In the fall of 1940, at the Humboldt Park Gospel Tab in Chicago, I heard Homer Rodeheaver introduce this song in his raspy, gravelly voice, and I will never forget it. I had just been "elected" songleader of our junior high youth group, so I was eager to hear how an old pro like Rodeheaver did it. I've forgotten how he did it, but I will never forget the song, 'When Jesus Comes.'
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Beautiful, good song. Thank you.
W. Richland, United States
This music was written by Homer Rodeheaver who was Billy Sunday's song leader on his many revival tours. It has blessed me many times and paints a picture of each of the redeemed as we stand before Jesus Christ. Lester Roloff sings it best. What a song! I hum it all day long still.