William Cowper (1731–1800)

Hymn 4

Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord My Banner


Exodus xvii. 15

        By whom was David taught,
                To aim the dreadful blow,
        When he Goliath fought,
                And laid the Gittite low?
No sword nor spear the stripling took,
But chose a pebble from the brook.

        ’Twas Israel’s God and king,
                Who sent him to the fight;
        who gave him strength to sling,
                And skill to aim aright.
Ye feeble saints your strength endures,
Because young David’s God is yours.

        Who ordered Gideon forth,
                To storm th’invaders’ camp,
        With arms of little worth,
                A pitcher and a lamp?
The trumpets made his coming known,
And all the host was overthrown.

        Oh! I have seen the day,
                When with a single word,
        God helping me to say,
                My trust is in the Lord;
My soul has quell’d a thousand foes,
Fearless of all that could oppose.

        But unbelief, self-will,
                Self-righteousness and pride,
        How often do they steal,
                My weapon from my side?
Yet David’s Lord, and Gideon’s friend,
Will help his servant to the end.