I Shall Not Be Moved

This is a versatile spiritual song that has been used in a variety of settings, including social/political protest movements. It's one of those "folk" gospel songs that lends itself to spontaneous lyrics.  This is the version that appears in the songbooks we used in the Watervliet (Michigan) Church of Christ when I was growing up. (Note that it is this arrangement that is under copyright, not the song itself.)

Refrain:

I shall not be, I shall not be moved,

I shall not be, I shall not be moved,

Just like a tree that's planted by the waters,

I shall not be moved.

1

Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved;

Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved...

2

In his love abiding, I shall not be moved;

And in him confiding, I shall not be moved...

3

Though all hell assail me, I shall not be moved;

Jesus will not fail me, I shall not be moved...

4

Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved;

On the Rock of Ages, I shall not be moved...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRKi2V9h7LY&list=RDeRKi2V9h7LY&start_radio=1

Here are some other verses from other hymnals I have in my collection --

Jesus is my savior... In his love and favor...

In my Christ abiding... In his love I'm hiding...

If I trust him ever... He will fail me never...

On his word I'm feeding... He's the one that's leading...

When my cross is heavy... when my cross is heavy...

The church of God is marching... the church of God is marching...

Jesus is our captain... Jesus is our captain...

Fighting sin and Satan... fighting sin and Satan...

There are many more -- the improvisational possibilities are endless.

The two key phrases in the refrain are related to the following scriptures --

* * *

There is another version of this song, which I posted last year. See the following link --

https://heartbellsallring.blogspot.com/2025/05/as-tree-beside-water.html