Under His wings shalt thou trust…Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psalm 91:4–7
Words: James Nicholson, in Hymns of Consecration and Faith, edited by James Mountain, number 137. Note: This hymnal (lyrics only) was printed in a combined volume with The Children’s Hymnal and Christian Year, by Christian H. Bateman (London: John Hodges, 1872). Click here for another arrangement.
Music: Asa Hull, Garlands of Praise (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Asa Hull, 1876), number 62 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Nicholson (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Hull,
In God I have found a retreat
Where I can securely abide;
No refuge, nor rest so complete,
And here I intend to abide.
Refrain
Oh, what comfort it brings,
As my soul sweetly sings;
I am safe from all danger
While under His wings.
I dread not the terror by night;
No arrow can harm me by day;
His shadow has covered me quite;
My fears He has driven away.
Refrain
The pestilence walking about,
When darkness has settled abroad,
Can never compel me to doubt
The presence and power of God.
Refrain
The wasting destruction at noon,
No fearful foreboding can bring;
With Jesus, my soul doth commune,
His perfect salvation I sing.
Refrain
A thousand may fall at my side,
And ten thousand at my right hand;
Above me His wings are spread wide,
Beneath them in safety I stand.
Refrain