My soul, be on thy guard!

277 Laban. S. M.

1 My soul, be on thy guard:
   Ten thousand foes arise;
   The hosts of sin are pressing hard
   To draw thee from the skies.

2 O watch and fight and pray:
   The battle ne'er give o'er;
   Renew it boldly every day,
   And help divine implore.

3 Ne'er think the victory won,
   Nor lay thine armor down;
   Thine arduous work will not be done
   Till thou obtain the crown.

4 Fight on, my soul, till death
   Shall bring thee to thy God;
   He'll take thee, at thy parting breath,
   To His divine abode.
                         George Heath
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
Seems an appropriate hymn for Christmas Eve, as the world waits for the arrival of the Messiah, despite its less than victorious verses. Not surprisingly, the author became a Unitarian pastor. Can't have a victory without Christ.
</idle musing>