We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender

1
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender;
  We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender.
  We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
2
Yea, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
  In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
  Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
3
We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
  And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing;
  We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
4
We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender:
  Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise
When reigning in the Kingdom of Thy splendor;
  Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.
29
KC

I wasn't around 60 years ago. The movie you're talking about, was that about the missionaries or about Eric Liddell? For the former, I was only aware of "Tte End of the Spear". For the latter, "Chariots of Fire."


Toyin Diyan

London, United Kingdom

Hallelujah they followed in the steps of their Saviour - I refer to the story of the missionaries who were murdered for the sake of the gospel. Literally without the shedding of blood man cannot be saved. Lord Jesus we praise You for Your precious death and the death of all the saints You gave their lives to bring others to faith. Lord these things are Your doing and they are marvelous in our eyes! Thank You Saviour God. Amen


Joan Dennis

West Midlands, United Kingdom

I too saw the film when I was 12 years old. I am 73 years old now and I still remember the amazing words. What an awesome God we serve. And one day we shall see them.


Alex

Yes, what helpful and wonderful words. I think this was a favourite of Eric Liddell's too.


Helen

Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Saw the film they made of this when I was a teenager and it had such an impact on me that at the great age of 69 I still remembered the lyrics of the first verse. Having just heard Finlandia on Classic Radio I decided to google the first line and found the story again. Now I've got to find the book!


Chris

Talent, OR, United States

Thank you. Nice having acccess to lyrics without using gigs for youtube.😌


Steve Miller

Detroit, MI

The power of this hymn is evident in the following story. In 1956, 5 missionaries in Ecuador tried to reach a warlike tribe in the jungles of South America. No one had been able to reach this tribe without being murdered. These men desired to make contact with these people in order to bring them the gospel. As 10 men from the tribe approached them on a secluded beach, they sang this song together. A day later, the 5 missionaries were all murdered. Less than 2 years later, Elisabeth Elliot, widow of one of the murdered missionaries, and Rachel Saint, sister of another murdered missionary, were able to live with this same tribe and bring them the gospel. Elisabeth Elliot later wrote the book "Through the Gates of Splendor", which documents the life and death of her missionary husband, Jim Elliot. The title for this book came from the original 4th stanza, 3rd line of this song. - Songs of the Spirit by Martin

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The original 3rd line of the 4th stanza says:

When passing through the gates of pearly splendor


Bridge

Saipan, Northern Marianas, Northern Mariana Islands

Thank You Lord, we rest in Thee and in Thy Name we go!


steward

Columbus, North Dakota, United States

This has always been one of my most favorite hymns. It is a hymn of strong faith.

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