I'll Go in the Strength of the Lord - insights: life, song lyrics & video blog Church in Oshawa

I’ll Go in the Strength of the Lord

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’ll go in the strength of the Lord,
In paths He has marked for my feet;
I’ll follow the light of His Word,
Nor shrink from the dangers I meet.
His presence my steps shall attend;
His fullness my wants shall supply;
On Him, till my journey shall end,
My unwavering faith shall rely.

I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength,
I’ll go in the strength of the Lord;
I’ll go, I’ll go in the strength,
I’ll go in the strength of the Lord.
(Repeat last line after third chorus)

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord
To work He appoints me to do;
In joy which His smile doth afford
My soul shall her vigor renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm,
His power my sufficiency prove;
I’ll trust His omnipotent arm,
And prove His unchangeable love.

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord
To conflicts which faith will require;
His grace as my shield and reward,
My courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since He gives the word of command
To meet and encounter the foe,
With His sword of truth in my hand,
To suffer and triumph I’ll go.

At this time of year, changes and challenges occur for many people. Here in Canada, the current weekend sees the commissioning and appointing of cadets graduating from the College for Officer Training. Many other officers have already received new appointments and are preparing to move to new locations, while some are retiring and preparing to adjust to a different lifestyle. Apart from Salvation Army officers, there are students graduating from high school or university and facing new chapters in their lives. For all of these, this week’s song can be their determination and encouragement. We can all face our circumstances, whether positive, exciting ones or difficult, discouraging ones, knowing God’s strength will carry us through.

The author, Edward Turney (also known as Edmund), was an American Baptist Pastor who lived from 1816 to 1872. He received his education at Madison University in New York. He served in Hartford, Connecticut and then in Granville, Ohio, before becoming a professor of Biblical criticism back at Madison University. His teaching career continued when he was professor of Biblical literature at Fairmount Theological Seminary, Cincinnati,Ohio, as well as when he taught in Washington, DC. Turney published two collections of hymns and poems.