You are Near

This is a comforting hymn about God's presence and guidance, based on Psalm 139.

The song was written by American musician, composer and at-the-time Roman Catholic priest Daniel (Dan) L Schutte (b 1947).    The song was first published in 1971 by North American Liturgy Resources.   Today copyright is owned by Schutte and OCP Publications.

The original title was "Yahweh I know You are Near".  This was altered following Pope Benedict's request that the word Yahweh not be spoken/sung in Roman Catholic church services.   Various adaptations have tried, and the official first line is now "O Lord, I know you are near".   However people from some churches still use the original version.

A Spanish-language translation, Estás Junto a Mí, has also been made.

The hymn is set to an unnamed tune, also by Schutte. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of G, the first few notes of the melody are D D_ G E_ DC D__ with accompanying chords  G  -   C  -  G  -   D/F#

Image adapt from a photo © www.godsongs.net - CC0

Downloads

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Downloadable setting for piano and voice, with chords

Downloadable setting for 2-voice choir, with piano

Examples

Official lyric video - singers with guitar-led band:

Original recording:

Singer with guitar:

Choir with guitar and percussion:

Duet with piano:

Choir, unaccompanied - with intrpretative dance:

Singer with band - country-style:

Singer with organ - live in a church-service:

Instrumental - electronic keyboard:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
Yahweh, I know you are near,
standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

1.  Lord, you have searched my heart ...

2.  Where can I run from Your love? ...

3.  You know my heart and its ways ...

4.  Marvelous to me are Your works ...

See more ...

• Hymns about God's presence
• Hymns based on the psalms

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY Chorus:
Yahweh, I know you are near,
standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.

1.  Lord, you have searched my heart,
and you know when I sit and when I stand.
Your hand is upon me protecting me from death,
keeping me from harm.

2.  Where can I run from Your love?
If I climb to the heavens You are there;
If I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea,
still I'd find You there.

3.  You know my heart and its ways,
you who formed me before I was born
in the secret of darkness before I saw the sun
in my mother's womb.

4.  Marvelous to me are Your works;
how profound are Your thoughts, my Lord.
Even if I could count them, they number as the stars,
You would still be there