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‘죄짐맡은 우리 구주 …’ 너무나 널리 알려진 이 곡은 아마도 우리나라 기독교인이라면 모르는 이가 거의 없을 정도로 친숙한 찬송곡이지요.

이 곡의 가사는 Joseph M. Scriven 씨가 지은 글입니다. 1819년 아일랜드에서 태어나, 트리니티 신학교를 졸업하였고, 그의 첫번째 약혼녀가 물에 빠져 죽게되자 Canada로 건너가 생활하게 되었답니다. 그 후 그의 두번째 약혼녀 마저도 결혼 직전에 사망하게 되자, 그 곳 Canada에서 지역사회의 노인들을 돌보는 봉사 활동의 일생을 다하게 되었답니다.

Scriven이Canada에 있을 때, 대서양 넘어 아일랜드에 계시는 어머님이 중병에 걸리게 되자 어머니를 위로하기 위해 지은 글이랍니다. 처음에는 작자 미상으로 발간되었다가, 근 30년이 지나서야 그의 작시를 인정받게 되었다고 합니다. 곡은 Charles C. Converse가 1868년에 작곡한 것이고요.

가사 내용을 한 번 보시지요.

1. What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!                 

    <우리 모든 죄와 슬픔을 걸머지신 예수님 안에서 얼마나 좋은 친구를 가지고 있는가!>
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!                          

    <기도로 모든 것을 하나님께 내어놓을 수 있다니 얼마나 큰 특권인가!>
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,                   

   <아, 우리는 너무나 자주 평안을 잃어버리고, 쓸데없는 고통을 받고 있구나>
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.                      

   <이 것은 모두, 기도로 하나님께 모든 것을 내어놓지 않기 때문이로다>

2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?                 

    <우리는 지금 시련과 유혹을 받고 있습니까? 그 어떤 곳에서 고통을 받고 있나요?>
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.                

    <우린 결코 낙심하지 말아야 한답니다. 그 것을 주님께 기도로 가져가야 한답니다.>
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?               

   <우리의 모든 슬픔을 함께 나눌 수 있을 만큼 믿을 수 있는 친구를 찾을 수가 있나요?>
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.                

   <예수님은 우리 모든 연약함을 아시고 계시니, 기도로 주님께 내어 놓으세요.>

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?             

    <우리는 근심의 짐을 지고서, 지치고 무거워하고 있지는 않은지요?>            

   Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.                     

   < 변함없는 우리의 피난처이신 귀하신 구주께 기도로 그것을 아뢰세요.>
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!       

    <친구들이 무시하고 당신을 저버립니까? 기도로 주님께 고하세요!>
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.          

    <주님의 품에 당신을 안고 보호하실 것이요, 그 곳에서 위안을 발견하게 될 것입니다.>

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear           

    <복되신 주님, 당신이 우리 모든 짐을 져주시리라 약속하셨습니다.>
  May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.                 

   <주님, 간절한 기도로 당신에게 모든 것을 다 내어놓을 수 있도록 하시옵소서.>
  Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer               

   <멀지 않아 구름없는 밝은 영광 중에 기도가 더 이상 필요하지 않을 것입니다.>
  Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.             

   <그 곳에서 우리가 하여야 할 것이란 환희와 찬송과 끝없는 경배가