Lead On O King Eternal

 

"Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant,
which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You."
(Psalm 119:38)

Image courtesy/ Pinterest

Lead on, O King Eternal, 

The day of march has come;

Hench-forth in fields of conquest

Thy tents shall be our home.

Through days of preparation

Thy grace has made us strong,

And now, O King Eternal,

We lift our battle song.

Lead on, O King Eternal,

Till sin's fierce war shall cease,

And Holiness shall whisper

The sweet Amen of peace;

For not with swords' loud crashing,

Nor roll of stirring drums,

But deeds of love and mercy,

Thy heavenly Kingdom comes.

Lead on, O King Eternal:

We follow, not with fears;

For gladness breaks like morning

Wher-e'er Thy face appears;

Thy cross is lifted o'er us;

We journey in its light:

The crown awaits the conquest;

Lead on, O God of might.

"Lead On O King Eternal"
(1888)
Ernest Warburton Shurtleff
(1862-1917)
American Congregational minister


This hymn was written for Shurtleff's graduation
ceremony from Andover Theological College, which is 
 now the Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School.

"Thy grace has made us strong" refers to the graduates themselves, whom have not only
 achieved through academics, but have gained valuable insight from the Holy Spirit through
the study of God's Word.  As in the similar tune, "Onward Christian Soldiers" this hymn
 expresses the preparedness of each graduate-like a soldier trained and readied for battle-
 in order to witness the powerful, life-saving message of salvation 
through Our Lord Jesus Christ to a sin-weary world.

During WWI, Ernest Shurtleff and his wife, Helen, were
 active in refugee relief work in Paris, France.