Verse 1
Captain of my salvation, hear!
Stir up thy strength and bow the skies
Be thou the God of battles near;
In all thy majesty arise!

Verse 2
The day, the dreadful day’s at hand!
In battle cover thou my head:
Past is thy word: I here demand,
And confident expect thine aid.

Verse 3
Now arm me for the threatning fight
Now let thy power descend from high,
Triumphant in thy Spirit’s might
So shall I every foe defy.[1]

Verse 4
I ask thy help; by thee sent forth
Thy glorious gospel to proclaim,
Be thou my mouth, and shake the earth,
And spread by me thy awful name.

Verse 5
Steel me to shame, reproach, disgrace,
Arm me with all thy armour now,
Set like a flint my steady face,
Harden to adamant my brow.

Verse 6
Bold may I wax, exceeding bold
My high commission to perform,
Nor shrink thy harshest truths t’ unfold,
But more than meet the gathering storm.

Verse 7
Adverse to earth’s rebellious throng,
Still may I turn my fearless face,
Stand as an iron pillar strong,
And stedfast as a wall of brass.

Verse 8
Give me thy might, thou God of power;
Then let or men or fiends assail!
Strong in thy strength, I’ll stand a tower
Impregnable to earth or hell.

[1] Wesley changed “defy” to “despise” in 1739, but reverted to “defy” in following editions.