Scripture Verse

It is I; be not afraid. John 6:20

Introduction

portrait
John Fawcett (1740–1817)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: John Faw­cett, A Brief Sup­ple­ment to the Psalms and Hymns of Is­aac Watts, se­cond edi­tion (Lon­don: Ad­am Tay­lor, 1816), num­ber 189.

Music: Can­on­bury, adapt­ed from Nacht­stück, Op­us 23, No. 4, by Ro­bert A. Schu­mann, 1839 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

portrait
Robert A. Schumann
(1810–1856)

Lyrics

Children of God, re­nounce your fears,
Lo! Je­sus for your help ap­pears,
And kind­ly speaks as He draws nigh,
Be not afraid, for it is I.

When in the aw­ful tem­pest tossed,
You feel your strength and cour­age lost,
And migh­ty waves roll o’er your head,
Your Lord is near, be not afraid.

When mourn­ful tid­ings come from far,
Or na­tions raise tu­mul­tu­ous war,
And wide their de­va­sta­tion spread,
Yet He is near, be not afraid.

The fa­mine, pes­ti­lence and sword,
Are all obe­di­ent to His word;
He, rid­ing on the stor­my sky,
Says, Fear ye not, for it is I.

When earth­ly joys are from you torn,
Or when, with heart­felt grief you mourn,
To see your dear re­la­tions dead,
Yet Je­sus lives, be not afraid.

When fierce dis­ease at­tacks your frame,
Your Sav­ior’s love is still the same;
In death’s dark shade you need not fear
For Je­sus will be with you there.

When stars are from their or­bits hurled,
And flames con­sume the guil­ty world,
E’en then your judge will smil­ing cry,
Be not afraid, for it is I.