1 We sing the glorious conquest
before Damascus gate,
when Saul, the church's spoiler,
came breathing threats and hate;
the ravening wolf rushed forward
full early to the prey;
but lo, the Shepherd met him,
and bound him fast today.

2 O glory most excelling
that smote across his path!
O light that pierced and blinded
the zealot in his wrath,
O voice that spake within him
the calm reproving word,
O love that sought and held him
the bondman of his Lord!

3 O wisdom, ordering 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 thine employ
than he, till now so furious
your building to destroy?

4 Lord, teach thy church the lesson,
still in her darkest hour
of weakness and of danger
to trust thy hidden power:
thy grace by ways mysterious
the wrath of man can bind,
and in thy boldest foeman
thy chosen saint can find.