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Words: Charles Wesley, in Character of a Methodist, by John Wesley, circa 1741.
Music: "Diademata," George Job Elvey, 1868
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Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies through His eternal Son
Strong in the Lord of hosts, and in His mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.
Stand then in His great might, with all His strength endued,
But take to arm you for the fight the panoply of God;
That having all things done, and all your conflicts passed,
Ye may overcome through Christ alone and stand entire at last.
Stand then against your foes, in close and firm array;
Legions of wily fiends oppose throughout the evil day;
But meet the sons of night, and mock their vain design,
Armed in the arms of heavenly light, of righteousness divine.
Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul,
Take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole;
Indissolubly joined, to battle all proceed;
But arm yourselves with all the mind that was in Christ, your Head.
Pray without ceasing, pray, (your Captain gives the word)
His summons cheerfully obey and call upon the Lord;
To God your every want in instant prayer display,
Pray always, pray and never faint, pray, without ceasing, pray.
From strength to strength go on, wrestle and fight and pray,
Tread all the powers of darkness down and win the well fought day.
Still let the Spirit cry in all His soldiers, "Come!"
Till Christ the Lord descends from high and takes the conquerors home.
Here's another version, to the tune "Kirkwood," by William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868)
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Soldiers of Christ, arise
And put your armor on;
Strong in the strength which God supplies,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His belovèd Son.
Strong in the Lord of hosts,
And in His mighty power;
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,
Is more than conqueror.
Stand then, in His great might,
With all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
Leave no unguarded place
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace,
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole.
That having all things done,
And all your conflicts past,
You may o'ercome through Christ alone,
You may o'ercome through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.
Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website