Scripture Verse

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:6

Introduction

portrait
John Newton (1725–1807)

Words: John New­ton, in the Gos­pel Ma­ga­zine, June 1771. The or­ig­in­al was head­ed with In uno Je­su om­nia, and signed Om­i­cron.

Music: St. Aidan Fran­cis R. Grey, in The Pri­mi­tive Me­tho­dist Hym­nal, ed­it­ed by George Booth (Lon­don: Pri­mi­tive Me­tho­dist Pub­lish­ing House, 1889), num­ber 199 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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

Lyrics

Why should I fear the darkest hour,
Or tremble at the tempter’s power?
Jesus vouchsafes to be my tower.

When creature comforts fade and die,
Worldlings may weep, but why should I?
Jesus still lives, and still is nigh.

Though all the flocks and herds were dead,
My soul a famine need not dread,
For Je­sus is my living bread.

I know not what may soon betide,
Or how my wants shall be supplied;
But Je­sus knows, and will provide.

Though sin would fill me with distress,
The throne of grace I dare address,
For Je­sus is my right­eous­ness.

Though faint my prayers, and cold my love,
My steadfast hope shall not remove,
While Je­sus intercedes above.

Against me earth and hell combine;
But on my side is power divine;
Jesus is all, and He is mine.