Dan Schutte wrote this very popular song. Based on Ps 91 we have used it all over the liturgy. The harmony starts as an echo before actually harmonising with the main vocal line. There are some minor variations in the lyrics on the net – I’m using the ones in AOV.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
I was surprised when I heard the original because we certainly haven’t sung it with the bounce he uses. I realised I’ve been doing it in common time rather than cut common and have been giving it a very different feel.
This is how we often do it – a bit slower and 4/4.
I’ve tried to get with the program and I’ve made a backing a bit more like the original intent.
Refrain
Blest be the Lord, blest be the Lord
The God of mercy, the God who saves
I shall not fear the dark of night
Nor the arrow that flies by dayVerse 1
He will release me from the nets of all my foes
He will protect me from their wicked hands
Beneath the shadow of His wings I will rejoice
To find a dwelling place secureRefrain
Verse 2
I need not shrink before the terrors of the night
Nor stand alone before the light of day
No harm shall come to me, no arrow strike me down
No evil settle in my soulRefrain
Verse 3
Although a thousand strong have fallen at my side
I’ll not be shaken with the Lord at hand
His faithful love is all the armor that I need
To wage my battle with the foeRefrain
© Daniel Schutte and New Dawn Music 1976.
planning to sing for the first time this weekend!
Okay, I understand “I shall not fear the dark of night”.
But the follow on lyrics “Nor the arrows the flies by day” is enigmatic.
So is the composer saying he has no fear of arrows after day is gone?
Clearly arrows fly at any time, and I would think one would be concerned (fearful) of arrows flying at any time, night or day.
What’s up?
A good question! Schutte is paraphrasing a psalm.
Psalm 91 (RSV)
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your habitation, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 11 For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. 14 Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
The Good News Bible generalises the arrows into “sudden attacks during the day”.
I suppose the Psalmist is using what he thought would be the terrors that resonate with the people of the time and without night vision equipment arrows are difficult at night, but there are certainly other nocturnal dangers. There is also some nice poetry there.
It’s one of those passages that suggests that the evil are vanquished and the righteous protected, which doesn’t have a lot of evidence in its favour as an idea.
The best I can come up with is that living in an era when lives were short and were routinely ended by disease and violence it was important not to fear death and get on with living. (from the Gospel according to Shawshank)
We need that too but our fears might be of a different nature – social isolation, etc – take your pick.
cheers
Geoff
I really love your tempo with this song. I also think Dan Schutte’s original version is a touch too brisk. Thank you for posting the music and the lyrics to go along with it.
It’s a beautiful psalm of praise to God, and never fails to lift my spirit to a better place.