Hymns of the English Church

He That Is Down Needs Fear No Fall

As Mr Great-heart guides his companions into the Valley of Humiliation, he bids them listen to the song of a shepherd boy.

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Devout pilgrims, painted in 1878 by Ilya Repin (1844-1930).
By Ilya Repin (1844-1930), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

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He That Is Down Needs Fear No Fall

By Ilya Repin (1844-1930), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain. Source

Devout pilgrims, painted in 1878 by Ilya Repin (1844-1930).

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Introduction

In the second part of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, a little band of believers enters into the Valley of Humiliation. As they make their way down into the valley, Mr Great-heart calls a halt and bids the others listen to the song of a shepherd boy, tending his father’s sheep on the hillside.

HE that is down needs fear no fall.
He that is low no pride;
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his Guide.

I am content with what I have.
Little be it, or much:*
And Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.*

Fulness to such a burden is
That go on Pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter Bliss,
Is best from age to age.

Philippians 4:12-13.

Hebrews 13:5.