Captain of Israel 's host

Charles Wesley
(1708 - 1788)

This is one of Wesley's shorter hymns! In verse 2 Charles originally wrote 'The light of man's direction need.' John wrote in the a note 'yes J.W.' However in 1780 he altered it to the version below to express confidence, without giving the impression of the independence of human help.

Marienlyst

8.8.8.8.8.8.

1

Captain of Israel's host, and Guide
Of all who seek the land above,
Beneath Thy shadow we abide,
The cloud of Thy protecting love;
Our strength, Thy grace; our rule Thy word;
Our end, the glory of the Lord.

2.

By Thine unerring Spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray;
We shall not full direction need,
Nor miss our providential way;
As far from danger as from fear,
While love, almighty love, is near.

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