Full Lyrics
Sacred Dramas, 1782
1. Prepare! your festal rites prepare!
Let your triumphs rend the air!
Idol gods shall reign no more,
We the living Lord adore!
Let heathen hosts on human helps repose,
Since Israel’s God has routed Israel’s foes.
2. Let remotest nations know,
Proud Goliath’s overthrow:
Fallen, Philistia! is thy trust,
Dagon’s honor laid in dust!
Who fears the Lord of Glory, need not fear
The brazen armor, or the lifted spear.
3. See the routed squadrons fly!
Hark! their clamors rend the sky!
Blood and carnage stain the field!
See, the vanquished nations yield!
Dismay and terror fill the frightened land;
While conquering David routs the trembling band.
4. Lo! upon the tented field,
Royal Saul has thousands killed!
Lo ! upon the ensanguined plain,
David has ten thousands slain!
Let mighty Saul his vanquished thousands tell,
While tenfold triumphs David’s victories swell.
