Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You - #444

"Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You"
by Wilhelm E. Arends, 1677-1721
Translated by John M. Sloan, 1835-?

1. Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you,
O Christians, lest the Foe destroy you,
For Satan has designed your fall.
Wield God's Word, a weapon glorious!
Against each foe you'll be victorious;
Our God will set you o'er them all.
Is Satan strong and fell?
Here is Immanuel.
Sing hosanna!
The strong ones yield,
With Christ our Shield,
And we as conqueror's hold the field.

2. Cast afar this world's vain pleasures,
Aye, boldly fight for heavenly treasures,
And steadfast be in Jesus' might.
He will help, whate'er betide you,
And naught will harm with Christ beside you;
By faith you'll conquer in the fight.
Then shame, thou weary soul!
Look forward to the goal:
There joy waits thee.
The race, then, run;
The combat done,
Thy crown of glory will be won.

3. Wisely fight, for time is fleeting,
The hours of grace are fast retreating;
Short, short, is this our earthly way.
Then the trump the dead is waking
And sinners all with fear are quaking,
With joy the saints will greet that Day.
Bless God, our triumph's sure,
Tho' long we did endure
Scorn and trial.
Thou, Son of God,
To Thine abode
Wilt lead the way Thyself hast trod.

4. Jesus, all Thy children cherish
And keep them that they never perish
Whom Thou hast purchased with Thy blood.
Let new life to us be given
That we may look to Thee in heaven
Whenever fearful is our mood.
Thy spirit on us pour
That we may love Thee more--
Hearts o'erflowing;
And then will we
Be true to Thee
In death and life eternally. Amen.

Hymn #444
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Eph. 6:10-18
Author: Wilhelm E. Arends, 1714
Translated by: John M. Sloan, 1865
Titled: "Ruestet euch, ihr Christenleute"
Composer: Philipp Nicolai, 1599
Tune: "Wachet auf"