Lily of the Valley
- Joe Hawkins
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
I have found a friend in Jesus,
He’s ev’rything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The “Lily of the Valley,” in Him alone I see,
all I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me ev’ry care on Him to roll;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,”
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
The hymn opens as a personal testimony — a declaration of friendship and faith in Christ that transforms the believer’s heart. The “Lily of the Valley” title comes from Song of Solomon 2:1, a poetic description of purity, beauty, and life springing forth in barren places. In calling Jesus the Lily, the writer reminds us that Christ blooms in the valleys — the low, humble, and often painful places of life.
He is not just a Savior on the mountain but a companion in the valley. He is our comfort in sorrow, our stay in trouble, and the One who bears every care we roll upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). Prophetically, this points to Christ’s ministry to His Church in a fallen world — the One who walks with us through tribulation before leading us into triumph. He is both the Lily of the Valley (our comfort in this age) and the Bright and Morning Star (our hope for the age to come).
He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne,
in temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
from my heart, and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,”
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
This stanza shifts from testimony to triumph. Christ not only comforts but conquers — He has borne our griefs, carried our sorrows, and stands as our “strong and mighty tower” (Proverbs 18:10). The believer who forsakes the idols of this world finds freedom and protection in the power of His presence.
The imagery here is both pastoral and prophetic. In an age where apostasy grows and many hearts turn to lesser gods — wealth, fame, self, and false spirituality — this hymn reminds us that Christ alone is worthy of full devotion. “Though all the world forsake me,” the writer declares, “through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.” This echoes Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7–8 — that those who fight the good fight of faith will one day receive the crown of righteousness at Christ’s appearing.
The “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16) is a title of hope — the promise that before the full light of day breaks, Christ will appear for His own. For the watchful believer, this is not poetic language — it’s prophetic reality.
He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
while I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
with His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory, to see His blessed face,
where rivers of delight shall ever roll;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,”
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
This final verse crescendos with assurance and anticipation — the security of His presence now and the promise of His glory ahead. “He will never leave me” reflects Hebrews 13:5, while “a wall of fire about me” draws from Zechariah 2:5, where the Lord declares, “I will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”
Even in an increasingly dark and hostile world, the believer stands protected within that divine wall — nourished by spiritual manna (John 6:35) and filled by the presence of Christ. The song concludes by lifting the eyes heavenward, picturing the moment when the redeemed “sweep up to glory” to behold His face. It’s the culmination of every believer’s hope — the marriage of the Lamb, the restoration of all things, and the eternal joy that follows.
This is more than comfort; it’s prophecy set to melody. The “Lily of the Valley” who met us in the depths will one day lead us to the heights — from the shadows of sorrow to the rivers of eternal delight.
The Lily of the Valley - Charles W. Fry
