Chief
Chief of Sinners.
Composer: Cleland Boyd McAfee
1 There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.
2 There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
3 There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
Story behind the song
Cleland McAfee, a preacher and choir director from Missouri, wrote the hymn "Near to the Heart of God" after losing two infant nieces to diphtheria in 1903. The hymn emphasizes finding comfort and peace near God's heart and includes repeated phrases to deepen the message. McAfee also wrote other hymns and served in various roles within the Presbyterian Church. "Near to the Heart of God" reflects the message of drawing near to God, as stated in James 4:8.