The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3696

3696. Lord God of Hosts, Within Whose Hand

1. Lord God of Hosts, within whose hand
Dominion rests on sea and land,
Before whose word of life or death
The strength of nations is but breath:
O King, enthroned all thrones above,
Give strength unto the land we love.

2. Thou breath of life since time began,
Breathing upon the lips of man,
Hast taught each kindred race to raise
United word to sound Thy praise:
So, in this land, join, we beseech,
All hearts and lips in single speech.

3. To George our saint Thou gavest grace
Without one fear all foes to face,
And to confess by faithful death
That word of life which was his breath.
O help us, helper of Saint George,
To fear not bonds that man can forge.

4. Arm us like him, who in Thy trust
Beat down the dragon in the dust;
So that we too may tread down sin
And with Thy saints a crown may win.
Help us, O God, that we may be
A land acceptable to Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: Lord God of Hosts, within whose hand
• Title: Lord God of Hosts, Within Whose Hand
• Author: Laurence Housman (1906)
• Meter: 88.88.88
• Language: English
• Source: The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 219
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: FALKLAND
• Composer (melody): Henry Lawes, 1596-1662
• Meter: 88.88.88
• Incipit: 53143 22117 51234
• Key: F Major
• Copyright: Public Domain