Scripture Verse

He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

Introduction

Words: Cla­ra L. Shat­tuck, in Heart Songs, ed­it­ed by Fred­er­ick A. Fill­more (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Fill­more Bro­thers, 1893), num­ber 70.

Music: Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Shat­tuck (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Daniel B. Towner (1850–1919)

Lyrics

Fret not thyself, my heart!
The Lord hath care for thee:
Tho’ desolate and poor thou art,
He shall thy portion be;
His covenant stands firm and sure;
His mercy ever shall endure.

Refrain

He slumbers not, He will not sleep,
All safe thou art, for He doth keep;
Hold firm thy trust, tho’ clouds arise,
In God’s good hand thy future lies.

He compasses thy path
And knoweth all thy ways;
A purpose true of love He hath,
Which runs throughout thy days;
He sees the end thou canst not see,
And what He wills is best for thee.

Refrain

To Him a thousand years
Are but as yesterday;
An hour, an age, the same appear—
He changeth not for aye;
And soon or late, in shade or sun,
His plan is wrought, His will is done.

Refrain

Be silent, O my soul!
Let thy complaining cease;
On Him thy bur­den thou mayst roll,
And walk henceforth in peace;
Where He abides all storms are stilled,
And every need is more than filled.

Refrain