Scripture Verse

The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Psalm 27:1-2

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 744. Per­se­cu­tion.

Music: South­well (Da­man) Will­iam Da­man, Psalmes of Da­vid in Eng­lish Me­ter 1579 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome or Daman (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Would those who thirst for blood,
Thy lit­tle flock de­vour?
Lord, change their hearts or check their rage,
By Thine al­migh­ty power.

When dan­gers com­pass round,
May Thine up­lift­ed arm
Restrain or frus­trate their de­signs,
Who seek to do us harm.

’Midst sav­age beasts of prey,
Thou art our con­fi­dence;
From men more sav­age far than they,
Be Thou our sure de­fense.

To Thee, almigh­ty God,
In all our straits we come;
Do Thou pro­tect us in the way,
And bring us safe­ly home.