Fear not, O little flock, the foe
Who madly seeks your overthrow;
Dread not his rage and power;
What though your courage sometimes faints?
His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints
Lasts but a little hour.
Fear not, be strong! your cause belongs
To Him Who can avenge your wrongs;
Leave all to Him, your Lord;
Though hidden yet from mortal eyes,
Salvation shall for you arise;
He girdeth on His sword!
As true as God’s own promise stands,
Not earth nor hell with all their bands
Against us shall prevail;
The Lord shall mock them from His throne;
God is with us; we are His own;
Our victory cannot fail!
Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer!
Great Captain, now thine arm make bare;
Thy church with strength defend;
So shall thy saints and martyrs raise
A joyful chorus to Thy praise,
Through ages without end.
-- Verzage nicht, du Häuflein klein
Attr. Jacob Fabricius, 1632; st. 4 anon., 1638
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1855, alt.
Source: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 263
The gates of hell cannot prevail against God's Church. The world, the flesh, and the devil cannot hold out against the onslaught of salvation. The barricades of darkness cannot keep out the advancing light. The heel that stomps may be bruised, but it cannot fail. The thorns of hell may prick, but they cannot keep from being uprooted. Through many tribulations the Kingdom is entered, but no tribulation can prevent its coming.
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