Michael Joncas is famous for his setting of Psalm 91 called “On Eagles Wings,” but he also wrote this setting, which is a more standard Psalm setting. You can hear it at this site.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
Each verse has a different tune but the first three have some congruance with a shared chord progression – the last verse is just completely different. He resorts to the word ” ‘gainst” in verse 3 to get it to fit.
If you have the old AOV guitar version I use there is an error p201 second line, the last note of the second bar is an Eb not an E.
I’m not sure about this song. I kept hearing “On Eagles Wings” instead. My backing is a little jazzy to try and freshen it up.
Refrain
Be with, Lord; be with me, Lord,
When I am in trouble and need. (rpt 1st time only)
Verse 1
You who dwell in the shelter of God most high,
Who abide in Almighty’s shade,
Say to the Lord: “My refuge, my stronghold,
My God, in whom I trust.”
Refrain
Verse 2
Evil shall never befall you,
Nor affliction come near to your tent.
Unto his angels he’s given command
To guard you in all your ways.
Refrain
Verse 3
On their hands the angels will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot ‘gainst a stone.
Lion or viper might strike at your life
But you will not come to harm.
Refrain
Verse 4
Cling to the Lord and he’ll surely deliver you:
He raises up all who call on his name.
He will bring joy to your hearts
And bless you with peace all in your days.
Refrain
© Michael Joncas 1981,1982.
Be with, Lord; be with me, Lord,
super song on Psalm 91
God bless you.
I don’t think the word ” ‘gainst” was a resort to make it scan. Joncas had the obvious choice of using “dashed his foot on a stone,” which I feel sure he must have considered, but the awkwardness of the line as he wrote it reinforces the discomfort which we would feel in the contingency which is suggested.