HYMN NO. 531

1 O God of truth, whose living word
upholds whatever hath breath,
look down on thy creation, Lord,
enslaved by sin and death.

2 Set up thy standard, Lord, that we
who claim a heavenly birth,
may march with thee to smite the lies
That vex thy groaning earth.

3 Fain would we join the blest array, And follow in the might, Of Him, the faithful and the true, In raiment clean and white.

4 Yet who can fight for truth and God?
Enthralled by lies and sin!
He who would wage such war on earth
must first be true within.

5 O, God of truth, for whom we long,
O Thou that hearest prayer,
do thine own battle in our hearts,
and slay the falsehood there.

6 So, tried in thy refining fire,
from every lie set free,
In us thy perfect truth shall dwell ,
and we may fight for thee.