Guess the 1960s song lyrics #35

1961. This song was inspired by a spiritual and Psalm in the Bible. The group is was offered to passed on it. With leftover studio time, the songwriter tried it out. The song appeared in a 1986 film of the same name and again topped the charts. Over the years it has been covered by over 400 artists including Tracy Chapman, John Lennon, and Florence and the Machine.