1. Soldiers of the Cross, arise,
Gird you with your armor bright.
Mighty are your enemies,
Hard the battle ye must fight.
2. O'er a faithless, fallen world
Raise your banner in the sky;
Let it float there wide unfurled;
Bear it onward, lift it high.
3. Mid the homes of want and woe,
Strangers to the living Word,
Let the Savior's heralds go,
Let the voice of hope be heard.
4. Where the shadows deepest lie,
Carry truth's unsullied ray;
Where are crimes of blackest dye,
There the saving sign display.
5. To the weary and the worn
Tell of realms where sorrows cease;
To the outcast and forlorn
Speak of mercy and of peace.
6. Guard the helpless, seek the strayed,
Comfort troubles, banish grief;
In the might of God arrayed,
Scatter sin and unbelief.
7. Be the banner still unfurled,
Still unsheathed the Spirit's Sword;
Spread Thy Word in all the world;
Let Thy kingdom come, O Lord.
Hymn #501 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: Ephesians 6:17
Author: William W. How, 1854, alt.
Tune: "Gott sei Dank"
1st Published in: _Neues geistreiches Gesangbuch_
Town: Halle, 1704