Scripture Verse

There was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:7–9

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spi­ri­tu­al Songs 1707, Book 1, num­ber 58. The de­vil van­quished; or, Mi­chael’s war with the dra­gon.

Music: St. John’s High­lands, an­on­y­mous (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Let mortal tongues attempt to sing,
The wars of Heav’n, when Michael stood
Chief general of th’eternal King,
And fought the battles of our God.

Against the dragon and his host
The armies of the Lord prevail;
In vain they rage, in vain they boast,
Their courage sinks, their weapons fail.

Down to the earth was Satan thrown,
Down to the earth his legions fell;
Then was the trump of triumph blown,
And shook the dreadful deeps of hell.

Now is the hour of darkness past,
Christ has assumed His reigning power;
Behold the great accuser cast
Down from the skies, to rise no more.

’Twas by Thy blood, immortal Lamb,
Thine armies trod the tempter down;
’Twas by Thy Word and powerful name
They gained the battle and renown.

Rejoice, ye heav’ns; let every star
Shine with new glories round the sky;
Saints, while ye sing the heav’nly war,
Raise your deliverer’s name on high.