This hymn appeared in The Spirit of the Psalms, simply titled “Psalm XI” since it is a paraphrase in the spirit of Psalm 11.[i] (It is found on pages 15-16 in the 4th edition.) It exudes and exhorts to trust in the omnipotent God, even if “foes for a season” seem to prevail. A true evaluation must be done in light of God and eternity. The author is Henry Francis Lyte, who at the time was described as “Minister of Lower Brixham.” The meter is H. M., which might be sung to the tune Lenox.
Why bid me like a bird
Before the fowler flee?
The Lord is on his heavenly throne,
Omnipotent to save his own.
The Tempter sorely try,
All earth’s foundations fail,
All nature’s springs be dry;
Yet God is in his holy shrine,
And I am strong while he is mine.
He watches them from high;
He sends them trials here
To fit them for the sky:
But safely will he tend and keep
The humblest, feeblest of his sheep.
May triumph and prevail;
But ah, the hour is near
When all their hopes must fail:
While like the sun his saints shall rise,
And shine with him above the skies.
Henry Francis Lyte was born in Kelso, Scotland, on June 1, 1793. He was an Anglican minister. Through much of his life he suffered from poor health. Because of this he made regular trips to various places for relief. He died in Nice, France, on November 20, 1847 at age 54. The English Prize Poem was awarded to Lyte three times. Lyte is perhaps best known for his hymn, “Abide with me: fast falls the eventide.”
[i] The Spirit of the Psalms, Or, The Psalms of David Adapted to Christian Worship, Henry Francis Lyte. London: Rivington, Hatchard, Seeley, and Nisbet, 1836.
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