Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church ‎#73a

73a. Christian, dost thou see them

1 Christian, dost thou see them
On the holy ground,
How the hosts of darkness
Compass thee around?
Christian, up and smite them,
Counting gain but loss:
Smite them by the merit
Of the holy Cross!

2 Christian, dost thou feel them,
How they work within,
Striving, tempting, luring,
Goading into sin?
Christian, never tremble;
Never be down-cast;
Gird thee for the battle,
Watch and pray and fast.

3 Christian, dost thou hear them
How they speak thee fair;
“Always fast and vigil?
Always watch and prayer?”
Christian, answer boldly:
“While I breathe, I pray.”
Peace shall follow battle,
Night shall end in day.

4 Hear the words of Jesus:
"O My servant true,
Thou art very weary,—
I was weary too:
But that toil shall make thee,
Some day all Mine own,
But the end of sorrow
Shall be near My Throne.”

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Christian, dost thou see them
• Author: Andrew of Crete, d. 732
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1862)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: The Church Year: Lent

Tune Information

• Name: ST. ANDREW OF CRETE
• Composer: John B. Dykes (1868)
• Meter: 6 5, 6 5. D.
• Key: E♭ Major