Jehovah Nisi

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Exod. 17. 17.

By whom was David taught,
to aim the deadly blow,
hen he Goliath fought
and laid the Gittite low?
Nor sword, nor spear
the stripling took,
but chose a pebble from the brook.
‘Twas Israel’s God and King,
Who sent him to the fight;
Who gave him strength to sling
and skill to aim aright.

Ye feeble saints,
your strength endures;
Because young David’s God is yours.
He Who ordered Gideon forth,
to storm the invader’s camp
With arms of little worth,
a pitcher and a lamp.
The trumpet made his coming known
and all the host was overthrown.

Oh! I have seen the day,
when with a single word,
God helping me to say,
my trust is in the Lord;
My soul has quelled a thousand foes,
Fearless of all that could oppose.
But unbelief, self-will,
self-righteousness and pride,
How often do they steal,
my weapon from my side?
Yet David’s Lord and Gideon’s Friend
will help His servants to the end.

From The Poetical Works of William Cowper
Edited by W. M. Rosetti,
‘Olney Hymns’, p. 274.
E. Moxon, Son and Co., Dover St., London