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This song popped out at me as I was leafing through another older hymnal that I was looking at. (see what tidying does for a body!). Oh.. it’s been fun this afternoon browsing and listening to songs of worship. Isaac Watts asks a good question in this hymn though: Am I a soldier of the cross?
Isaac Watts, born in 1647, is the author of Am I A Soldier of the Cross. He was born in England, son of a nonconformist father and became a nonconformist pastor. Being a nonconformist meant he didn’t belong to the Church of England.
He not only wrote hymns (for which is best known today) but also educational books covering geography, astronomy, philosophy and grammar. A inspiring pastor he preached at Mark Lane Independent. Poor health led him to live with the Abney’s in Herdfordshire for the remainder of his life.
Lyrics
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
Other Isaac Watts Songs
I do like Isaac Watts songs. He hits right at the heart of the matter each time, it seems
yes he does. Good hymn.