Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
Words: Christopher Wordsworth, The Holy Year (London: Rivingtons, 1862), alt. The text below comes from part two of Father of All, in Whom We Live (pages 208–09), titled O God, in Whose All-Searching Eye: Referring to those who come to be confirmed; to be used before the laying on of hands.
Music: Appleton William Boyce (1710–1779) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know when the music was written,
Arm these Thy soldiers, mighty Lord,
With shield of faith and Spirit’s sword.
Forth to the battle may they go
And boldly fight against the foe.
With banner of the cross unfurled,
They overcome the evil world
And so at last receive from Thee
The palm and crown of victory.
Come, ever blessèd Spirit, come
And make Thy servants’ heart Thy home.
May each a living temple be
Hallowed forever, Lord, to Thee.
Enrich that temple’s holy shrine
With sevenfold gifts of grace divine;
With wisdom, light, and knowledge bless,
With counsel, strength, and godliness.
O Trinity in Unity,
One only God in Persons Three,
In whom, through whom, by whom, we live,
To Thee we praise and glory give.
Oh, grant us so to use Thy grace
That we may see Thy glorious face
And ever with the heav’nly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!
