Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
Psalm 18:39
Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David 1719. The conqueror’s song.
Music: Aberdeen, possibly by Andrew Tait, in James Chalmers’ untitled collection, 1749. Melody from Rudiments of Music, by Robert Bremner, 1756 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Tait (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
To Thine almighty arm we owe
The triumphs of the day;
Thy terrors, Lord, confound the foe,
And melt their strength away.
’Tis by Thine aid our troops prevail,
And break united powers,
Or burn their boasted fleets, or scale
The proudest of their towers.
How we have chased them through the field,
And trod them to the ground,
While Thy salvation was our shield,
But they no shelter found!
In vain to idol saints they cry,
And perish in their blood;
When is a rock so great, so high
So powerful as our God?
The Rock of Israel ever lives,
His name be ever blest;
’Tis His own arm the victory gives,
And gives His people rest.
On kings that reign as David did,
He pours His blessings down;
Secures their honors to their seed,
And well supports the crown.