Guardian of My Soul

Heather Allington

Heather writes for Sunday Song Book on behalf of the The Salvation Army Oshawa. As a lifelong member of the Army, she has loved these familiar - and some less familiar - songs for many years, and enjoys researching and writing about their origins. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired elementary school teacher who likes trying her hand at watercolour painting and poetry writing.

I worship You, God’s only Son,
Who took my sins to the cross,
So I could be completely free to follow where You lead.
O Lord, Your wounds are now my healing and I am wholly Yours.
You know my name and where I’m going,
Guardian of my soul.

I’ll follow You, God’s only Son,
Along the road to the cross;
No other place can I find grace unfathomed and unflawed.
And as I reach the Hill of Calvary and see Your open arms,
I’ll know my name and where I’m going,
Guardian of my soul.

These beautiful new words were written by Darren Shaw and form the theme of his band selection, Guardian of My Soul. A songster selection has also been arranged, by Andrew Mair. The title phrase can be found in an older song by John Ernest Bode, as follows, and the melody for these words is also included in the band selection. This song, but not the newer one, is found in the Salvation Army Song Book.

These beautiful new words were written by Darren Shaw and form the theme of his band selection, Guardian of My Soul. Share on X

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend.
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

Oh, let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will.
Oh, speak to reassure me,
To chasten or control;
Oh, speak to make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in Glory
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

John Ernest Bode lived in England from 1816 to 1874. He received his education at Eton College Charterhouse School and at Christ Church in Oxford, where he became a tutor for six years. Later, Bode was ordained and served as a rector in Oxfordshire and then in Cambridgeshire. He had collections published of his poems and hymns.

Darren Shaw is a Salvation Army Officer in the UK. Before his officership training at William Booth College, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology, Biology and Chemistry. He is the Founding Director of soulwithaviewmedia , a Christian Publishing House “with the primary aim of promoting a powerful, personal and participatory knowledge of God through various media.” May you be blessed by this combination of devotional songs.

S.A. SONG BOOK, 1987 EDITION, #862; 2015 EDITION, #613
WORDS: JOHN ERNEST BODE; MUSIC – TUNE, AURELIA: SAMUEL WESLEY
REFERENCES: USAWEST.ORG; UK.LINKEDIN.COM