I Could Not Do Without Thee

I could not do without Thee,
O Saviour of the lost,

I could not do without Thee,
O Saviour of the lost,
Whose precious blood redeemed me
At such tremendous cost:
Thy righteousness, Thy pardon,
Thy sacrifice, must be
My only hope and comfort,
My glory and my plea.

I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
No wisdom of my own:
But Thou, beloved Saviour,
Art all in all to me;
And weakness will be power,
If leaning hard on Thee.

I could not do without Thee,
Oh Jesus, Saviour dear,
E’en when mine eyes are holden,
I know that Thou art near:
How dreary and how lonely,
This changeful life would be,
Without this sweet communion,
This secret rest with Thee.

I could not do without Thee,
For years are fleeting fast,
And soon in solemn silence,
The river must be past:
But Thou wilt never leave me;
And though the waves run high,
I know Thou wilt be near me,
And whisper, “It is I.”

Frances Ridley Havergal