Your word’s a lamp to guide my footsteps
Psalm 119
(PEWLEY DOWN)
Embedded Files
Your word’s a lamp to guide my footsteps
1 Your word’s a lamp to guide my footsteps,
your word lights up my path to you;
I now confirm the oath I’ve taken:
your righteous judgements I’ll pursue.
Many the times, O Lord, I’ve suffered-
fulfil your word, my life renew.
2 O Lord, accept my willing praises,
instruct me in the rules you make.
I’ll not forget the laws you gave me,
whatever risks I have to take;
and, though the wicked plan to trap me,
yet your commands I’ll not forsake.
3 Your statutes are my constant treasure,
they bring me joy, by none surpassed;
on your decrees my heart is settled,
resolved to keep them to the last.
Your word’s a lamp to guide my footsteps,
and on my path its light is cast.
~~~
words © Emma Turl / Praise Trust
music © Gill Berry / Praise Trust
CCLI Song Number 4793896
Tune: PEWLEY DOWN
Metre: 8.4.8.4.8.4 Key: B♭
Keyboard Demo:
Sources: Nehemiah 10:29; Psalms 119:105-112; Psalms 119:130; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12
Themes: guidance, instructions for living, perseverance, solemn promise, treasure, word of God
Christopher Idle, in his companion text ‘Exploring Praise’, recounts details about all the authors, composers, texts and tunes in the original Praise“!” hymnbook. All his comments are reproduced below the hymn-text, on the relevant WebPages, where they are headed ‘about the hymn’, etc. These are among the resources provided, and I find them well worth reading - a mine of insightful information. On the webpage for 119G, Chris recalls me talking to him about verse 105 of Psalm 119 which begins the section paraphrased in this hymn: “This verse is special to me, being the motto of Scripture Union which played an important part in bringing me to faith in Christ.”
The version of part of Psalm 119, like the one for Psalm 53, which is in the “Praise!” hymn-book and on its website, dates from around 1984 and may (or may not ) be considered gender-biased today. The second stanza was revised in 2011 to avoid the phrase ‘wicked men’ of the original text. Although this revision does not appear on the Praise! Website, it has been authorised by Praise Trust which administers its copyright.
PEWLEY DOWN is one of many tunes Gill Berry has composed for my lyrics. This one was sung during a Hymn Festival for the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland in July 2011. The name PEWLEY DOWN comes from the North Downs in Surrey, where her family often went for walks during her childhood.
Resources for the unrevised version of this lyric, together with the sheet music, are at "Praise!" no. 119G: Your word’s a lamp to guide my footsteps
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