Hymns of the English Church

Soldiers of Christ Arise

A meditation on St Paul’s exhortation to put on the whole armour of God.

An actor in the dress of a Roman soldier.

© Ivan Petrović Poljak, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Soldiers of Christ Arise

© Ivan Petrović Poljak, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source

An actor in the dress of a Roman soldier.

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Introduction

This is one of Charles Wesley’s best-known hymns, though usually shortened, and in recent times it has been criticised for its supposed ‘militaristic’ tone. The extended military metaphor is, of course, from St Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians; and as Paul himself makes abundantly clear, it is concerned solely with fighting invisible spiritual forces, the dark angels that lord it over men and lands to their own ruin.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God.

Ephesians 6:13

Part I.

SOLDIERS of Christ, arise,
And put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through his eternal Son :
Strong in the Lord of Hosts,
And in his mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts,
Is more than conqueror.

Stand then in his great might,
With all his strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The Panoply of God:*
That having all things done,
And all your conflicts pass’d,
Ye may o’ercome, through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.

Stand then against your foes,
In close and firm array:
Legions of wily fiends oppose
Throughout the evil day
But meet the sons of night,
But mock their vain design,
Arm’d in the arms of heavenly light,
Of righteousness divine.

Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul:
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole:
Indissolubly join’d,
To battle all proceed;
But arm yourselves with all the mind
That was in Christ, your Head.

Part II.

BUT, above all, lay hold
On faith’s victorious shield;
Arm’d with that adamant and gold,
Be sure to win the field:
If faith surround your heart,
Satan shall be subdued;
Repell’d his every fiery dart,
And quench’d with Jesu’s blood.

Jesus hath died for you!
What can his love withstand?
Believe, hold fast your shield, and who
Shall pluck you from his hand?
Believe that Jesus reigns;
All power to him is given:
Believe, till freed from sin’s remains
Believe yourselves to heaven!

To keep your armour bright,
Attend with constant care,
Still walking in your Captain’s sight,
And watching unto prayer.
Ready for all alarms,
Steadfastly set your face,
And always exercise your arms,
And use your every grace.

Pray, without ceasing pray;*
Your Captain gives the word;
His summons cheerfully obey,
And call upon the Lord:
To God your every want
In instant prayer display;
Pray always; pray, and never faint;
Pray, without ceasing pray!

Part III.

IN fellowship, alone,
To God with faith draw near:
Approach his courts, besiege his throne
With all the powers of prayer:
Go to his temple, go,
Nor from his altar move;
Let every house his worship know,
And every heart his love.

To God your spirits dart;
Your souls in words declare
Or groan, to him who reads the heart,
The’ unutterable prayer:
His mercy now implore,
And now show forth his praise;
In shouts, or silent awe, adore
His miracles of grace.

Pour out your souls to God,
And bow them with your knees;
And spread your heart and hands abroad,
And pray for Sion’s peace:
Your guides and brethren bear
For ever on your mind
Extend the arms of mighty prayer,
In grasping all mankind.

From strength to strength go on,
Wrestle, and fight, and pray:
Tread all the powers of darkness down,
And win the well-fought day:
Still let the Spirit cry
In all his soldiers, ‘Come’;
Till Christ the Lord descend from high,
And take the conquerors home.

* Panoply is a word from Greek, meaning a complete set of weapons. It included everything the Greek hoplite wore for battle, including his shield, breastplate, helmet, and greaves, as well as his sword and spear.

* See 1 Thessalonians 5:17.