The Lord My Banner

By whom was David taught

Author: William Cowper
Tune: CHRISTCHURCH (Steggall)
Published in 82 hymnals

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Representative Text

1 [By whom was David taught
To aim the dreadful blow,
When he Goliath fought,
And laid the Gittite low?
No sword nor spear the stripling took,
But chose a pebble from the brook.

2 ’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.]

3 [Who ordered Gideon forth,
To storm the invader’s camp,
With arms of little worth –
A pitcher and a lamp?
The trumpets made his coming known,
And all the host was overthrown.]

4 O! 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.

5 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 servant to the end.


Source: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. In four parts (10th ed.) (Gadsby's Hymns) #338

Author: William Cowper

William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: By whom was David taught
Title: The Lord My Banner
Author: William Cowper
Meter: 6.6.6.6.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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The Cyber Hymnal #717
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The Cyber Hymnal #717

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