To Be a Pilgrim

One of Gracie’s favorite Anglican hymns is He Who Would Valiant Be. It may not be familiar to you, but she’s hoping the words will provide encouragement for you this week.

When Morning Gilds the Skies
He Who Would Valiant Be
At the Name of Jesus

Lyrics (via hymnary.org)

WHEN MORNING GILDS THE SKIES, by Edward Caswall
1 When morning gilds the sky, 
our hearts awaking cry: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
in all our work and prayer 
we ask his loving care: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
2 To God, the Word on high, 
the hosts of angels cry: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
Let mortals too upraise 
their voices in hymns of praise: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
3 Let earth’s wide circle round 
in joyful notes resound: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
Let air and sea and sky 
from depth to height reply: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
4 Be this, when day is past, 
of all our thoughts the last: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
The night becomes as day 
when from the heart we say: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
5 Then let us join to sing 
to Christ, our loving King: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 
Be this the eternal song 
through all the ages long: 
May Jesus Christ be praised! 

HE WHO WOULD VALIANT BE, by John Bunyan
1 He who would valiant be 
‘gainst all disaster,
let him in constancy 
follow the Master.
There’s no discouragement 
shall make him once relent
his first avowed intent 
to be a pilgrim.
2 Who so beset him round 
with dismal stories,
do but themselves confound—
his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might, 
though he with giants fight;
he will make good his right 
to be a pilgrim.
3 Since, Lord, Thou dost defend 
us with Thy Spirit,
we know we at the end 
shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, flee away! 
I’ll fear not what men say,
I’ll labor night and day 
to be a pilgrim.

AT THE NAME OF JESUS, by Caroline M. Noel
1 At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bow,
ev’ry tongue confess him King of glory now.
‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
2 At his voice creation sprang at once to sight,
all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
all the heav’nly orders in their great array.
3 Humbled for a season to receive a name
from the lips of sinners unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious, when from death he passed.
4 In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your Captain in temptation’s hour:
let his will enfold you in its light and pow’r.
5 Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father’s glory, with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.