Common Hymnal - If The Savior Stood Beside Me Lyrics
Lyrics
If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?
If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?
If the Savior stood beside me,
would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope,
and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions?
Would I choose more worthily
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?
If the Savior stood beside me, would I often kneel to pray?
Would I listen to the Spirit’s voice, and hasten to obey?
Would I count my many blessings? Would I praise Him gratefully
If I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?
If the Savior stood beside me, would I comfort those in need?
Would I try to show the Savior’s love in every word and deed?
Would I give to those who hunger? Would I serve more willingly
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?
He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.
Video
"If the Savior Stood Beside Me" | Without Vocals | Primary Song Sing-Along
Meaning & Inspiration
Common Hymnal’s release of "If The Savior Stood Beside Me" on July 7, 2023, presented even in its "Without Vocals | Primary Song Sing-Along" format, delivers a profound lyrical inquiry that resonates deeply with anyone seeking a more intentional spiritual walk. Stripped of instrumental nuances that might distract, the message emerges with stark clarity, inviting contemplation rather than passive listening. This hymn is a spiritual mirror, prompting a genuine self-examination of one’s discipleship and the authenticity of one's faith in daily existence.
The song’s central premise is a series of introspective questions, each beginning with the powerful hypothetical: "If the Savior stood beside me..." This isn't merely a nostalgic children's tune; it’s a penetrating examination of commitment, challenging us to consider the real-world implications of Christ’s immediate, visible presence. It asks us to confront the gap between our professed beliefs and our daily actions, words, and thoughts, probing whether our lived experience truly reflects the reverence and love we hold for Him. The repeated inquiry acts as a spiritual prompt, inviting a deep personal assessment of our walk with Christ.
When the lyrics ponder, "would I do the things I do? Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?" the song calls us to a higher standard of action. This directly echoes the biblical command to not just be hearers of the word, but doers (James 1:22), and Jesus' teaching in John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commandments." The hypothetical presence of the Savior serves as a catalyst, urging us to align our daily choices—both grand and seemingly insignificant—with divine principles. It’s a call to move beyond mere outward adherence to genuine, heartfelt obedience that stems from love, desiring to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6).
Similarly, the questions about our speech—"would I say the things I say? Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?"—compel us to purify our communication. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the power and impact of our words. Ephesians 4:29 instructs us, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." The song’s focus here nudges us towards speech that is truthful, kind, reverent, and actively shares the good news, reflecting a conscious awareness that every utterance can either honor or detract from His presence, as Matthew 12:36-37 reminds us that we will give account for every careless word.
The inquiry extends inward to our thoughts: "would my thoughts be clean and pure? Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?" This delves into the unseen realm where true transformation begins. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to focus on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable." The song suggests that Christ's presence inherently brings strength, hope, and courage, empowering us to capture every thought and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), ensuring our inner world aligns with the outward purity we aspire to. His counsel guides our actions, allowing us to choose more worthily, reflecting the Beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).
The song then shifts to our devotional life, asking, "would I often kneel to pray? Would I listen to the Spirit’s voice, and hasten to obey?" Prayer is our direct line to God, a constant source of communion and guidance. The Spirit’s voice, as promised in John 16:13, guides us into all truth. This stanza underlines the importance of a vibrant prayer life (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and an attentive ear to the Holy Spirit, leading to swift obedience (Galatians 5:16). It also prompts gratitude, asking if we would count our many blessings and praise Him, a vital aspect of a healthy spiritual walk (Colossians 3:17).
Finally, the song considers our outward expressions of love and service: "would I comfort those in need? Would I try to show the Savior’s love in every word and deed?" This encapsulates the essence of practical Christianity, echoing Christ’s call to serve the "least of these" (Matthew 25:35-40). It questions our willingness to give to the hungry and serve willingly, embodying the selfless love that defines genuine discipleship. It reminds us that our faith is best demonstrated through acts of compassion and service, reflecting the very heart of the Savior who "came not to be served but to serve" (Matthew 20:28), and encouraging us to show the same sacrificial love (1 John 4:7-8).
The song’s most powerful shift arrives in its concluding stanza, moving from the "if" to the resounding truth: "He is always near me, though I do not see Him there." This profound declaration transforms the entire song from a series of wistful hypotheticals into a robust call to action. It confirms the omnipresence of God and the comforting reality of His constant, watchful care, a truth echoed in scriptures like Psalm 139, which assures us there is no place we can go from His Spirit or His presence. Moreover, Jesus promised His disciples, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20), a promise that extends to every believer. Because this divine presence is a constant, tangible reality, we are then inspired to actively "be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be," living as though His visible presence were before our eyes. This means walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), recognizing that His love and grace empower us to strive for righteousness, not out of fear, but out of a deep-seated love and gratitude for His unwavering companionship. "If The Savior Stood Beside Me" ultimately becomes an inspiring affirmation: we *can* live a life transformed by His presence, not just in hypothetical moments, but in every breath, every choice, and every interaction, because He truly is always beside us.