Arm These Thy Soldiers, Mighty Lord (My Favorite Hymn)

by Christopher Wordsworth, 1807-1885

 1. Arm these Thy soldiers, mighty Lord,

 With shield of faith and Spirit’s sword.

 Forth to the battle may they go

 And boldly fight against the Foe.

 2. With banner of the Cross unfurled,

 They overcome the evil world

 And so at last receive from Thee

 The palm and crown of victory.

 3. Come, ever-blessed Spirit, come

 And make Thy servants’ hearts Thy home,

 May each a living temple be

 Hallowed forever, Lord, to thee.

 4. Enrich that temple’s holy shrine

 With sevenfold gifts of grace divine;

 With wisdom, light, and knowledge bless,

 With counsel, strength, fear, godliness.

 5. O Trinity in Unity,

 One only God and Persons Three,

 In whom, through whom, by whom, we live,

 To Thee we praise and glory give.

 6. Oh, grant us so to use Thy grace

 That we may see Thy glorious face

 And ever with the heavenly host

 Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

 Text from: The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal (p. 238) (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)