Lift up the banner of salvation

1 Lift up the banner of salvation,
That white and blood-dyed banner of the cross.
Proclaim it wide to ev'ry nation:
There is redemption from our dreaded loss;
The Lamb of God upon the cross was slain
That man the promised crown of life might gain.

2 Raise high that banner for each nation,
Let ev'ry eye behold the Crucified,
Whom God before the world's foundation
Had as a ransom for us set aside.
Do not this truth from anyone withhold;
To all the message of the cross be told.

3 Lift up the banner, tell the story:
With Jesus' blood thou, too, wast dearly bought;
Behold, the mighty Lord of glory
Complete salvation for us all hath wrought.
Poor, weeping soul, be happy and rejoice
And praise the Lamb of God with gladsome voice.

4 Then let no other news be spoken,
Let ev'ryone the Master's Word repeat.
Why should a man, with promise broken,
Proclaim the wisdom of his own conceit?
For such a one will nevermore be blest,
Since God's displeasure must upon him rest.

5 Regard us from Thy habitation,
For we are erring, blind and poor, O Lord.
That wisdom which is our salvation
Remains alone with Thine unerring Word,
And even this we cannot comprehend
If Thou wilt not Thy Spirit's brightness lend.

Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #98

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #15176