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Psalm 18 (Version 4, Part 1)

C.M. (8.6.8.6) Psalm 18 Isaac Watts

Psalm Text

We love thee, Lord, and we adore,

Now is thine arm reveal'd;

Thou art our strength, our heavenly tower,

Our bulwark and our shield.

We fly to our eternal rock,

And find a sure defence;

His holy name our lips invoke,

And draw salvation thence.

When God, our leader, shines in arms,

What mortal heart can bear

The thunder of his loud alarms?

The lightning of his spear?

He rides upon the winged wind,

And angels in array

In millions wait to know his mind,

And swift as flames obey.

He speaks, and at his fierce rebuke,

Whole armies are dismay'd;

His voice, his frown, his angry look

Strikes all their courage dead.

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.

[He arms our captains to the fight,

Tho' there his name's forgot:

He girded Cyrus with his might,

But Cyrus knew him not.

Oft has the Lord whole nations blest

For his own church's sake:

The powers that give his people rest,

Shall of his care partake.]

About This Psalm

Version
1719 Isaac Watts

Themes

PsalmsWorshipWarfare

This metrical psalm text is in the public domain.