1 Help, mighty God! The strong man bows himself,
The good and wise are few, the standard-bearers faint,
The enemy prevails. Help, God of might,
In this Thy Church’s night!
2 Help, mighty God! Evil is now our good,
And error is our truth, darkness is now our light,
Iniquity o’erflows. Help, God of might,
Defend, defend the right!
3 Help, mighty God! Men turn their ear away
From the great voice divine; and each one seeks his own
Dark oracle of lies. Help, God of might,
The idols, Lord, affright!
4 Help, mighty God! Men slight the grace divine,
They mock the glorious love; and the great gift of God
Is as a thing of naught. Help, God of might,
The foe arise and smite!
5 Help, mighty God! The blind now lead the blind,
Man has become as God, the tree of knowledge now
Bears its last, ripest fruit! Help, God of might,
For us come forth and fight!
6 Help, mighty God! The perfect word of Heaven
Is as the Sibyl’s scroll; and the great mount of God
Is as Dodona’s shrine. Help, God of might,
And in the dark give light!
7 Help, mighty God! The cross is growing old,
And the great sepulcher is but a Hebrew tomb!
The Christ has died in vain! Help, God of might,
Else shall faith perish quite!
8 Help, mighty God! The Christ of ages past
Is now the Christ no more! altar and fire are gone,
The victim but a dream! Help, God of might,
Put the fierce foe to flight!
9 Help, mighty God! The world is waxing grey,
And charity grows chill, and faith is at its ebb,
And hope is withering! Help, God of might,
Appear in glory bright!
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #11338
Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >
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