96. IN TIME OF PERSECUTION
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Author: Gottfried Benjamin Hancke (1695-1750)
Composer: Christian Friedrich Witt, 1715 (1665-1717)
Author: Gottfried Benjamin Hancke (1695-1750)
Composer: Christian Friedrich Witt, 1715 (1665-1717)
1. Though their foes may try them,
Christ’s true friends defy them
And to Him adhere;
Though the arch-foe, Satan,
God’s own children threatens,
They will have no fear.
God gives strength to us at length
To confess Him as our Saviour,
Without fear or favor.
2. And when Satan rages
And against us stages
Torture, fire and death,
Hastens to defy us
And withal destroy us,
Armed with spite and wrath,
Yet we know each Christian true
In the flames would rather perish
Than false idols cherish.
3. Will Satan’s cruel action
Bring him satisfaction?
No, the Christian’s blood
Yields the fruits most pleasing,
Blessings still increasing
From the face of God.
Wrath and sword have zeal restored
Which in ease and false persuasion
Sank into confusion.
4. For a season Satan
May our downfall threaten,
But be not afraid!
For the Lord of heaven
Hath the promise given
Of enduring aid.
His right arm will guard from harm
All who, by His pow’r unending,
Are for Him contending.
5. So stand fast, ye faithful;
Though the foe seem dreadful,
Help is at your side.
Christ in triumph rising,
Haughty foes despising,
Will defeat their pride.
Though, behold, a lion bold,
Or a Nero should o’ertake you,
God will not forsake you!
6. Though proud seas endeavor
Our small bark to sever
From its Faithful guard,
Though great storms are roaring;
Though great billows soaring,
May distress it hard,
Christ, the Lord, will help afford;
In the very darkest hour
He will show His power.
7. Though my foes are pressing
And my ship distressing,
God is e’er my shield;
It shall not be shattered;
God the waves will scatter;
It will never yield.
Then at last, all danger past,
With our Pilot, Christ, commanding,
Find its heav’nly landing.
8. Should our vessel flounder,
Peter nigh go under,
Jonah near be lost;
Should a Paul be drifting,
Still God’s arms are lifting
All the tempest-tossed;
Noah found a landing-ground;
He and his by God were cherished,
Though the whole world perished.
9. O, be glad, my brothers;
Brave the hate of others;
And be not dismayed.
Though vain men assail you,
Let your faith not fail you;
Still be unafraid.
God hath shown more power alone
Than great hosts in armor trusting,
For your downfall lusting.
10. Let from every angle
Storms our ships entangle;
God is in command!
It will not go under
Or through weakness flounder,
But come safe to land;
For at last, the storms all pass,
Christ, our great and mighty Pilot,
Will to heaven guide it!
Christ’s true friends defy them
And to Him adhere;
Though the arch-foe, Satan,
God’s own children threatens,
They will have no fear.
God gives strength to us at length
To confess Him as our Saviour,
Without fear or favor.
2. And when Satan rages
And against us stages
Torture, fire and death,
Hastens to defy us
And withal destroy us,
Armed with spite and wrath,
Yet we know each Christian true
In the flames would rather perish
Than false idols cherish.
3. Will Satan’s cruel action
Bring him satisfaction?
No, the Christian’s blood
Yields the fruits most pleasing,
Blessings still increasing
From the face of God.
Wrath and sword have zeal restored
Which in ease and false persuasion
Sank into confusion.
4. For a season Satan
May our downfall threaten,
But be not afraid!
For the Lord of heaven
Hath the promise given
Of enduring aid.
His right arm will guard from harm
All who, by His pow’r unending,
Are for Him contending.
5. So stand fast, ye faithful;
Though the foe seem dreadful,
Help is at your side.
Christ in triumph rising,
Haughty foes despising,
Will defeat their pride.
Though, behold, a lion bold,
Or a Nero should o’ertake you,
God will not forsake you!
6. Though proud seas endeavor
Our small bark to sever
From its Faithful guard,
Though great storms are roaring;
Though great billows soaring,
May distress it hard,
Christ, the Lord, will help afford;
In the very darkest hour
He will show His power.
7. Though my foes are pressing
And my ship distressing,
God is e’er my shield;
It shall not be shattered;
God the waves will scatter;
It will never yield.
Then at last, all danger past,
With our Pilot, Christ, commanding,
Find its heav’nly landing.
8. Should our vessel flounder,
Peter nigh go under,
Jonah near be lost;
Should a Paul be drifting,
Still God’s arms are lifting
All the tempest-tossed;
Noah found a landing-ground;
He and his by God were cherished,
Though the whole world perished.
9. O, be glad, my brothers;
Brave the hate of others;
And be not dismayed.
Though vain men assail you,
Let your faith not fail you;
Still be unafraid.
God hath shown more power alone
Than great hosts in armor trusting,
For your downfall lusting.
10. Let from every angle
Storms our ships entangle;
God is in command!
It will not go under
Or through weakness flounder,
But come safe to land;
For at last, the storms all pass,
Christ, our great and mighty Pilot,
Will to heaven guide it!
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