1.

Whet your Sword, assembly glorious—
Bride of Christ, O remnant so blest!
Of a thousand, one’s victorious
And in shining linen is dressed.
/: Bear the Sword, hosts of the Lord!
Now Jehovah goes to war! :/

2.

For the harlot, laws are torment,
And obedience she cannot bear!
God’s commands she finds abhorrent;
Birds pluck up the Word planted there.
/: But God’s Word, which we have heard,
Will strike down each harlot word! :/
(Jerem. 47:6-7; 48:10 | Ezekiel 21:16 | Isaiah 1:9 | Rom. 11:5 | Amos 3:12)

3.

Wail, O shepherds who make clothes from
Wool of sheep and lambs you have fleeced.
All your words are dry and loathsome,
And on fatlings richly you feast.
/: Now the Lord goes forth to war!
Lay and learnèd meet the Sword. :/
(Rev. 17:3)

4.

Arm for battle! Start preparing!
Cleanse the hidden thoughts of your heart.
On your forehead God’s seal bearing,
Stone by stone break strongholds apart.
/: Speak with might God’s Word and fight,
And be clothed in robes of white. :/
(Rev. 19:8)

5.

Lawless words the harlot teaches.
There’s no life to build up the heart,
No anointing when she preaches;
In Christ’s body she has no part.
/: Great the shame laid to her blame!
Christ is crucified again. :/

6.

See the valiant few, contending,
Raise Christ’s banner high, undeterred.
God’s commandments we’re defending,
For we’re pressing into His Word.
/: Onward go! By faith we know
Nothing else leads to the goal! :/
(2 Pet. 3:2)

Written by Johan O. Smith (published in 1935)traditional german melody from 1800Text © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ F