Words: Anonymous, probably 6th Century (Deus tuorum militum); translated from Latin to English by in The Hymnal Noted, 1852-54 (originally, O God, Thy Soldiers’ Crown and Guard); modified in Hymns Ancient and Modern. Music: Bavaria, arranged by in Old Church Psalmody, number 6; possibly from Preis, Lob, Ehr, Ruhm, in Geistreiches Gesangbuch (Darmstadt, Germany: 1698). Alternate tune:
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O God, Thy soldiers’ great Reward,
Their Portion, Crown, and faithful Lord,
From all transgressions set us free
Who sing Thy martyr’s victory.
By wisdom taught he learned to know
The vanity of all below,
The fleeting joys of earth disdained,
And everlasting glory gained.
Right manfully his cross he bore,
And ran his race of torments sore;
For Thee he poured his life away,
With Thee he lives in endless day.
We therefore pray Thee, Lord of love,
Regard us from Thy throne above;
On this Thy martyr’s triumph day
Wash every stain of sin away.
All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.