1. God is our Sun and Shield,
Our Light and our Defense;
With gifts His hands are filled;
We draw our blessings thence.
Thrice happy he, O God of hosts,
Whose spirit trusts alone in Thee.

2. To God, the only wise,
The one immortal King,
Let hallelujahs rise
From every living thing;
Let all that breathe, on every coast
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

“God Is our Sun and Shield” is a composite hymn taken from the following two hymns, one by Isaac Watts, and the other by William Hurn:

“Lord of the Worlds Above” by Isaac Watts

1. Lord of the worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
Thy earthly temples are!
To Thine abode, my heart aspires
With warm desires to see my God.

2. The sparrow for her young
With pleasure seeks a nest,
And wandering swallows long
To find their wonted rest:
My spirit faints with equal zeal
To rise and dwell among Thy saints.

3. O happy souls that pray
Where God appoints to hear!
O happy men that pay
Their constant service there!
They praise Thee still; and happy they
That love the way to Zion’s hill.

4. They go from strength to strength,
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length,
Till each in Heaven appears;
O glorious seat, when God, our King,
Shall thither bring our willing feet!

5. To spend one sacred day
Where God and saints abide,
Affords diviner joy
Than thousand days beside:
Where God resorts, I love it more
To keep the door than shine in courts.

6. God is our Sun and Shield,
Our Light and our Defense;
With gifts His hands are filled;
We draw our blessings thence.
He shall bestow on Jacob’s race
Peculiar grace and glory too.

7. The Lord His people loves;
His hand no good withholds
From those His heart approves,
From pure and pious souls:
Thrice happy he, O God of hosts,
Whose spirit trusts alone in Thee.



“Arise, O God, and Shine” by William Hurns

1. Arise, O God, and shine
In all Thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread Thy glorious light;
Let healing streams of mercy flow
That all the earth Thy truth may know.

2. Bring distant nations near
To sing Thy glorious praise;
Let every people hear
And learn Thy holy ways.
Reign, mighty God, assert Thy cause
And govern by Thy righteous laws.

3. Put forth Thy glorious power
That Gentiles all may see
And earth present her store
In converts born to Thee.
God, our own God, His Church will bless
And fill the world with righteousness.

4. To God, the only wise,
The one immortal king,
Let hallelujahs rise
From every living thing;
Let all that breathe, on every coast
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.