(Exodus, xvii.15)
By whom was David taught
To aim the deadly blow,
When he Goliath fought,
And laid the Gittite low?
Nor sword nor spear the stripling took,
But chose a pebble from the brook.
‘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.
Who order’d Gideon forth,
To storm the invaders’ camp.
With arms of little worth,
A pitcher and a lamp?
The trumpets made his coming known
And all the host was overthrown.
Oh! I have seen the day,
When with a single word,
God helping me to say,
“My trust is in the Lord,”
My soul hath quell’d a thousand foes
Fearless of all that could oppose.
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.
(William Cowper)
More Poetry from William Cowper:
William Cowper Poems based on Topics: God, Friendship, Trust, Pride- Adam: A Sacred Drama. Act 1. (William Cowper Poems)
- Adam: A Sacred Drama. Act 3. (William Cowper Poems)
- A Poetical Epistle To Lady Austen (William Cowper Poems)
- Addressed To Miss Macartney, Afterwards Mrs. Greville, On Reading The Prayer For Indifference (William Cowper Poems)
- A Tale. June 1793 (William Cowper Poems)
- A Figurative Description Of The Procedure Of Divine Love (William Cowper Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: God Poems, Friendship Poems, Pride Poems, Trust PoemsBased on Keywords: host, steal, aim, king, saints, feeble, servant, chose, fought, brook, spear