This page is provided so that you can hear the tunes of items which we use in church. Mostly they are written by the vicar. Please note that they are copyright - we are very happy to give permission to you to use them, but we would like to hear about it. Please include any use on your Christian Copyright Licence returns.
Down this page:
- the words,
- the story,
- the sheet music,
- media player.
I have set the Lord always before me
I have set the Lord always before me
I have set the Lord always before me:
he is with me and helps me to stand,
so I'm glad and my spirit rejoices,
and my flesh rests secure in his hand.
For you will not allow my destruction,
nor permit one who's faithful to die.
You will lead me in life's path of gladness
where delights flow from your hand on high.
Words copyright © John Hartley 2007.
Suggested tune: "The story of Jesus" by C B Jutson 1870-1930
Story behind the song
This song arose from a request on the COIN (Christians on the Internet) music e-mail discussion list, for metrical canticles suitable for singing as part of the Easter Vigil. Psalm 16:8-11 is one of them. The full scheme is set out here.
I recall hearing the tune in Sunday School a long time ago, and am very grateful to a friend who chased it up as No. 857 in the Methodist Hymn Book (1933) and No. 200 in Baptist Praise and Worship (1991), where it is set to the words "God has given us a Book full of stories" by Maria M Penstone (1859-1910).
John Hartley.
Windows Media Player. When you click the left-hand "play" button your computer should have started to play the tune. If it didn't, you might be able to get the tune by clicking here, or by right-clicking the link, choosing "save target as", saving it onto your computer, and then opening it with a music-playing program.
Please remember that a midi file of a tune isn't supposed to be a state-of-the-art musical arrangement - it is only supposed to give a basic idea of how the tune goes. Any reasonable organist / keyboard player / music group could make it sound far better.