Hymns

We love thee, Lord, and we adore

by Isaac Watts·1719·Meter 8.6.8.6 (CM)

Based on Ps 18

1

We love thee, Lord, and we adore;
Now is thine arm revealed:
Thou art our strength, our heav'nly tower,
Our bulwark, and our shield.

2

We fly to our eternal Rock,
And find a sure defence;
His holy name our lips invoke,
And draw salvation thence.

3

When God, our Leader, shines in arms,
What mortal heart can bear
The thunder of his loud alarms,
The lightning of his spear?

4

He rides upon the winged wind,
And angels in array
In millions wait to know his mind,
And swift as flames obey.

5

He speaks, and at his fierce rebuke
Whole armies are dismayed;
His voice, his frown, his angry look,
Strikes all their courage dead.

6

He forms our generals for the field,
With all their dreadful skill;
Gives them his awful sword to wield,
And makes their hearts of steel.

7

He arms our captains to the fight,
(Though there his name's forgot;
He girded Cyrus with his might,
But Cyrus knew him not.)

8

Oft has the Lord whole nations blessed
For his own church's sake;
The powers that give his people rest,
Shall of his care partake.

DefenceDelightDeliveranceDespairEnemies