The Son of God Goes Forth to War

The music was composed by Gregory Wilbur. Check out his excellent work here: https://www.wilburmusic.com/

Jesus, the Son of God, is the conquering King of Kings. He is no hippy, pansy, or pacifist. He came to seek and save the lost and to patiently bear His cross for sinners. To Him belongs all the world because He did not take Satan's false promise but laid His life down for us to the point of a humiliating death on the cross all while we were still sinners and hating Him and His grace. He crushed the devil under His feet and will one day come again to judge the quick and the dead. To Him belongs all authority on heaven and on earth and it is our duty to follow in His train and in the example set by the saints who have gone before us.

Note: My recording is a poor example of how this song ought to be sung. It needs to be sung in all four parts by a noble army of men, boys, matrons, and maids. To really understand the beauty of this song, one must sing it with God's people who know how to give Him glory while singing their parts robustly, with courage, and with skill. The lyrics were written by Reginald Heber in 1812.


The Son of God goes forth to war
A kingly crown to gain.
His blood-red banner streams afar;
Who follows in His train?
Who best can drink His cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below--
He follows in His train.

The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave,
Who saw his Master in the sky
And called on Him to save.
Like Him, with pardon on His tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong--
Who follows in his train?

A glorious band, the chosen few,
On whom the Spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints--their hope they knew
And mocked the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
The lion's gory mane;
They bowed their necks their death to feel--
Who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Savior's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed.
They climbed the steep ascent of heav'n
Through peril, toil, and pain.
O God, to us may grace be giv'n
To follow in their train!
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