Christian
Hymn
Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
Verse
1
Jesus,
keep me near the cross,
There
a precious fountain,
Free
to all, a healing stream,
Flows
from Calv’ry’s mountain.
In
the cross, in the cross
Be
my glory ever,
Till
my raptur’d soul shall find
Rest
beyond the river.
Verse
2
Near
the cross, a trembling soul,
Love
and mercy found me;
There
the Bright and Morning Star
Shed
His beams around me.
In
the cross, in the cross
Be
my glory ever,
Till
my raptur’d soul shall find
Rest
beyond the river.
Verse
3
Near
the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring
its scenes before me;
Help
me walk from day to day
With
its shadow o’er me.
In
the cross, in the cross
Be
my glory ever,
Till
my raptur’d soul shall find
Rest
beyond the river.
Verse
4
Near
the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping,
trusting ever,
Till
I reach the golden strand,
Just
beyond the river.
In
the cross, in the cross
Be
my glory ever,
Till
my raptur’d soul shall find
Rest
beyond the river.
SUMMARY
Overall
Theme:
This
hymn is a heartfelt prayer for spiritual closeness to the cross of Jesus
Christ. It emphasizes the believer’s deep longing to stay near the source of
grace, mercy, healing, and hope — the cross — until they find eternal rest in
heaven. Each verse reflects a journey of faith, from trembling in need to
resting in the glory of God.
Explanation
Verse
1:
>
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
>
There a precious fountain,
>
Free to all, a healing stream,
>
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.
The singer pleads for constant nearness to
the cross — the place where Christ died. From that place flows a spiritual
“fountain,” symbolizing the life-giving and healing power of Jesus’ sacrifice.
The word Calv’ry refers to the hill (Golgotha) where Jesus was crucified.
>
In the cross, in the cross
>
Be my glory ever,
>
Till my raptur’d soul shall find
>
Rest beyond the river.
The chorus declares that the cross is the
believer’s greatest treasure and source of eternal hope. The “raptured soul” (a
soul carried away with joy or taken into heaven) longs to find “rest beyond the
river” — a poetic image of heaven, across life’s final boundary (death).
Verse
2:
>
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
>
Love and mercy found me;
>
There the Bright and Morning Star
>
Shed His beams around me.
The singer recalls being a trembling, broken
soul who encountered God’s love and mercy at the cross. “Bright and Morning
Star” is a biblical title for Jesus (Revelation 22:16), who illuminates the
darkness of life with His comforting presence.
Verse 3:
>
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
>
Bring its scenes before me;
>
Help me walk from day to day
>
With its shadow o’er me.
A prayer to the “Lamb of God” (Jesus), asking
Him to keep the imagery and meaning of the cross fresh in daily life. The line
“with its shadow o’er me” suggests living under the influence and guidance of
the cross — with humility, purpose, and gratitude.
Verse
4:
>
Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
>
Hoping, trusting ever,
>
Till I reach the golden strand,
>
Just beyond the river.
The singer resolves to patiently wait and
trust God, staying spiritually near the cross. The “golden strand” is a
metaphor for the heavenly shore — paradise — just across the river of death.
The hope is eternal rest and joy in the presence of God.
"Jesus,
Keep Me Near the Cross" is more than a hymn — it’s a lifelong prayer of
dependence, devotion, and hope. It reminds us that all spiritual healing,
strength, and salvation come from Jesus’ sacrifice. And until we reach heaven,
the cross must remain our daily focus and source of glory.
