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732

The LORD, My Shepherd, Rules My Life

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Scripture References

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

The Canons of Dort V, 13 explain that our assurance of eternal security and perseverance cannot “produce immorality or lack of concern for godliness in those put back on their feet after a fall, but it produces a much greater concern to observe carefully the way which the Lord prepared in advance” and it is “an incentive to a serious and continuous practice of thanksgiving and good works...” (Canons of Dort V, 12) Therefore, this sub-section contains songs which express both the desire and the commitment of the believer to walk in obedience for holy living. Woven throughout these songs are expressions of fervent desire for holy living, a dedication to follow God’s will, a surrender of one’s will, and prayers for the Holy Spirit to continue his sanctifying work.

732

The LORD, My Shepherd, Rules My Life

Additional Prayers

Jesus, loving shepherd, we hear your voice,
and we know the price you paid because of your love for us.
Help us to move beyond hearing and knowing
to accepting the life you offer us and committing ourselves to serving others,
giving you all honor, glory, and praise. Amen.
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)

A Prayer to Affirm God’s Providence
Loving God, you brought your people out of Egypt, out of exile, out of trouble.  You drew them forward into a better future, feeding them along the way.  You still care for your people.  Your goodness and your gracious love pursue us all our days, and we shall dwell in your house forever with Jesus, in whom we pray.  Amen.
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
732

The LORD, My Shepherd, Rules My Life

Tune Information

Name
CRIMOND
Key
F Major
Meter
8.6.8.6

Recordings

732

The LORD, My Shepherd, Rules My Life

Hymn Story/Background

Christopher Martin Idle wrote this versification in 1969; it was first published in Psalm Praise (1973). Idle suggests that "the fourth stanza seems to have a message peculiarly relevant to a world where many in the east and west boast of their weapons of war and rely on them to preserve 'peace.'"
 
CRIMOND was first published in The Northern Psalter (1872), where the tune was attributed to David Grant, who arranged many of the tunes in that collection. However, in 1911 Anna B. Irvine claimed that CRIMOND had been composed by her sister, Jessie Seymour Irvine, who had given it to Grant to be harmonized. Irvine's authorship is generally accepted today.
 
CRIMOND became very popular after it was used at the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1947. Named after the town of Crimond in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the tune is considered by many to be among the finest of all Scottish psalm tunes.
— Bert Polman

Author Information

Christopher Martin Idle (b. Bromley, Kent, England, 1938) was educated at Elthan College, St. Peter's College, Oxford, and Clifton Theological College in Bristol, and was ordained in the Church of England. He served churches in Barrow-in-­Furness, Cumbria; London; and Oakley, Suffolk; and recently returned to London, where he is involved in various hymnal projects. A prolific author of articles on the Christian's public responsibilities, Idle has also published The Lion Book of Favorite Hymns (1980) and at least one hundred of his own hymns and biblical paraphrases. Some of his texts first appeared in hymnals published by the Jubilate Group, with which he is associated. He was also editor of Anglican Praise (1987).
— Bert Polman

Composer Information

Little is known of Jessie Seymour Irvine’s (b. Dunnottar, Kincardineshire, Scotland, 1836; d. Aberdeen, Scotland, 1887) life except that she was the daughter of an Anglican minister and lived in her parents' home for much of her life.
— Bert Polman

A tobacco shop merchant by trade, David Grant (b. Aberdeen, Scotland, 1833; d. Lewisham, London, England, 1893) was an amateur musician. He composed music for bands, arranged tunes for The Northern Psalter (1872), and served as precentor of the Footdee Church in Aberdeen.
— Bert Polman

The descant composed by William Baird Ross (b. Montrose, Scotland, 1871; d. Edinburgh, Scotland, 1950) also gained popularity from royal use in 1947. Educated at Queen's College in Oxford, Ross became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. He was an educator and an organist in Montrose, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Stirling in Scotland.
— Bert Polman
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