Scripture Verse

The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Introduction

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Luther O. Emerson (1820–1915)

Words: James Mont­go­me­ry, Orig­in­al Hymns for Pub­lic, Pri­vate and So­cial De­vo­tion (Lon­don: Long­man, Brown, Green & Long­mans, 1853), num­ber 192. For di­vine pro­tect­ion on a day’s jour­ney.

Music: As­crip­tion Lu­ther O. Em­er­son, 1866 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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James Montgomery (1771–1854)

Lyrics

I take the journey of a day,
Thy sun, Lord, gives me light;
The moon and stars, Thy voice obey,
And watch me through the night.

For mercies every hour bestowed
Unceasing thanks are due;
Now, ’midst the dangers of the road,
Lord, bring me safely through.

Upheld by Thine al­migh­ty arm,
And guided by Thine eye,
Storms cannot crush, nor lightnings harm,
Sickness nor plague come nigh.

Thou art Thy people’s sun and shield,
Their glo­ry and defense;
All elements allegiance yield
To sovereign Providence.

But not in Providence alone
The Godhead’s footsteps shine,
In grace are mightier wonders shown,
Of love and power divine.

As these thus far on pilgrimage,
My lengthened course attend,
So may they lead me stage by stage,
To mine appointed end.

When all my journeyings here must cease,
And life no more shall be;
Lord, let me then depart in peace,
From everything but Thee.