On Eagles' Wings

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On Eagles' Wings is a sacred song composed by Michael Joncas in 1979 after Vatican Council II, when the Catholic Church began using vernacular hymns at Mass. Its words are based on Psalm 91. The song was then published by North American Liturgy Resources and was later purchased by New Dawn Music, a subsidiary of Oregon Catholic Press. It quickly proved to be quite popular as a contemplative song at Catholic masses as well as at Protestant services; it is now sung in churches of many denominations including Pentecostal churches and was performed at many of the funerals of victims of September 11.

The refrain is the best-known part of the song and reads as follows:

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.