University of Virginia Library

HYMN XII.

[Head over all in earth and skies]

Head over all in earth and skies,
Immortal Potentate, appear,
While men and fiends against them rise,
Be mindful of Thy members here,
Nor let Thy changeless promise fail,
Nor let the' infernal gates prevail.
By Thee if rightful monarchs reign,
If all things bow to Thy command,
Thy power, to strengthen and sustain,
Be on the man of Thy right hand;
Arm him with Thine and Gideon's sword,
To fight the battles of the Lord.
The champion of religion pure,
To fall the last, he stands alone:
His foes have made his ruin sure,
And spoil'd his life, and seized his throne,
Thy church with him in hope o'erpower'd,
And all Thine heritage devour'd.
But is the' almighty God restrain'd
To save by many or by few?
Almighty God, lay to Thine hand,
For now—he knows not what to do—

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Push'd to the last extremity,
He sinks—he lifts his eyes to Thee!
Arm of the Lord, awake, awake,
Thine own resistless strength put on;
Preserve him for Thine Israel's sake,
To make Thy power, and mercy known,
Thy church to' exalt, Thy foes to shame,
And spread through earth Thy saving name.