1 Had not the God of truth and love,
When hosts against us rose,
Display'd his vengeance from above,
And crush'd the conqu'ring foes;
2 Their armies like a raging flood
Had swept the guardless land,
Destroy'd on earth his blest abode,
And whelm'd our feeble band.
3 But safe beneath his spreading shield
His sons securely rest,
Defy the dangers of the field,
And bear the fearless breast.
4 And now our souls shall bless the Lord,
Who broke the deadly snare;
Who sav'd us from the murd'ring sword,
And made our lives his care.
5 Our help is in Jehovah's name,
Who form'd the heav'ns above;
He that supports their wond'rous frame
Can guard his church by love.
Source: Church Hymn Book: consisting of newly composed hymns with the addition of hymns and psalms, from other authors, carefully adapted for the use of public worship, and many other occasions (1st ed.) #P.CXXIV
Barlow, Joel, born at Reading, Connecticut, 1755 [sic], graduated at Yale 1778, and died near Cracow, Poland, 1812, He was well known as an author and politician during and after the American Revolution. His publications include Hasty Pudding; Columbia, &c. In 1785, at the request of the (Congregational) General Association of Connecticut, he corrected and enlarged Dr. Watts's Psalms, supplying those omitted by Watts, and adapting the whole to American thought and circumstances. This work, published in 1786, went through various editions, and, although officially superseded by Dwight in 1800, it continued to be issued for many years after. Its title is somewhat curious as setting forth its design. It reads:— Psalms carefully suited to the… Go to person page >| First Line: | Had not the God of truth and love |
| Title: | God Gives Victory |
| Author: | Joel Barlow |
| Meter: | 8.6.8.6 |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | Public Domain |
My Starred Hymns