A Concert of Sacred Metaphors — Victory Through Grace

(Part of a series of blogs on the songs featured in my solo concert from 2006: “A Concert of Sacred Metaphors”)

 

This next song  is one of several Fanny Crosby songs that I enjoy singing. It mirrors her vibrant hope in the our King, Jesus Christ, and the part he calls us to play in His plan.

 

Conquering now and still to conquer, Rideth a King in His might!

Leading the host of all the faithful Into the midst of the fight;

See them with courage advancing, Clad in their brilliant array,

Shouting the name of their Leader, Hear them exultingly say:

“Not to the strong is the battle, Not to the swift is the race;

Yet to the true and the faithful Victory is promised though grace.”

 

Conquering now and still to conquer, Who is this wonderful King?

Whence are the armies which He leadeth, While of His glory they sing?

He is our Lord and Redeemer, Savior and Monarch divine;

They are the stars that forever Bright in His Kingdom will shine.

“Not to the strong is the battle, Not to the swift is the race;

Yet to the true and the faithful Victory is promised though grace.”

 

 

Conquering now and still to conquer, Jesus, Thou Ruler of all!

Thrones and their scepters all shall perish, Crows and their splendor shall fall,

Yet shall the armies Thou leadest, faithful and true to the last,

Find in Thy manios eternal Rest, when their warfare is past.

“Not to the strong is the battle, Not to the swift is the race;

Yet to the true and the faithful Victory is promised though grace.”

 

 

 

When I originally sang it I thought of two separate scriptures. There was the passage in Ecclesiastes about “time and chance happeneth to them all”, and that in the New Testament about “for by grace are you saved through faith”. Crosby did a wonderful job of merging the old and the new, and showing how the one testament is the fulfillment of the other.