1. We sing the glorious conquest
Before Damascus' gate,
When Saul, the Church's spoiler,
Came breathing threats and hate;
The rav'ning wolf rushed forward
Full early to the prey;
But lo! the Shepherd met him,
And bound him fast to-day.
2. Oh, glory most excelling
That smote across his path!
Oh, light that pierced and blinded
The zealot in his wrath!
Oh, voice that spake within him
The calm, reproving word!
Oh, love that sought and held him
The servant of his Lord!
3. O Wisdom ord'ring all things
In order strong and sweet,
What nobler spoil was ever
Cast at the Victor's feet?
What wiser master-builder
E'er wrought at your employ
Than he, till now so furious
Your building to destroy?
4. Lord, teach your Church the lesson,
Still in her darkest hour
Of weakness and of danger,
To trust your hidden power:
Your grace by ways mysterious
The wrath of Earth can bind,
And in Thy boldest rival
Your chosen saint can find.
Source: Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship #56
John Ellerton (b. London, England, 1826; d. Torquay, Devonshire, England, 1893) Educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man and at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, he was ordained in the Church of England in 1851. He served six parishes, spending the longest time in Crewe Green (1860-1872), a church of steelworkers and farmers. Ellerton wrote and translated about eighty hymns, many of which are still sung today. He helped to compile Church Hymns and wrote its handbook, Notes and Illustrations to Church Hymns (1882). Some of his other hymn texts were published in The London Mission Hymn Book (1884).
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