Scripture Verse

He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron. Psalm 107:16

Introduction

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James Montgomery (1771–1854)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: James Mont­go­me­ry, 1843.

Music: Pres­by­ter Wal­ter O. Wil­kin­son, 1895 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Wil­kin­son (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Lift up your heads, ye gates of brass,
Ye bars of ir­on, yield,
And let the King of Glo­ry pass;
The cross is in the field.
That ban­ner, bright­er than the star
That leads the train of night,
Shines on their march, and guides from far
His ser­vants to the fight.

A ho­ly war those ser­vants wage;
Mysteriously at strife;
The powers of Heav’n and hell en­gage
For more than death or life.
Ye armies of the liv­ing God,
His sac­ra­ment­al host,
Where hal­lowed foot­steps ne­ver trod
Take your ap­point­ed post.

Though few and small and weak your bands,
Strong in your cap­tain’s strength
Go to the con­quest of all lands;
All must be His at length.
Those spoils at His vic­to­ri­ous feet
You shall re­joice to lay,
And lay your­selves, as tro­phies meet,
In His great judg­ment day.

O fear not, faint not, halt not now;
Quit you like men, be strong!
To Christ shall all the na­tions bow,
And sing with you this song:
Uplifted are the gates of brass,
The bars of ir­on yield;
Behold the King of Glo­ry pass;
The cross hath won the field!