We Sing the Glorious Conquest

We sing the glorious conquest
before Damascus gate,
when Saul, the church's spoiler,
came breathing threats and hate;
the rav'ning wolf rushed forward
full early to the prey;
but lo! the Shepherd met him,
and bound him fast today.

O glory most excelling
that smote across his path!
O light that pierced and blinded
the zealot in his wrath!
O voice that spake unto him
the calm, reproving word!
O love that sought and held him
the bondman of his Lord!

O Wisdom ord'ring all things
in order strong and sweet,
what nobler spoil was ever
cast at the victor's feet?
What wiser master-builder
e'er wrought at your employ
than he, till now so furious
your building to destroy?

Lord, teach your church the lesson,
still in her darkest hour
of weakness and of danger,
to trust your hidden pow'r:
your grace by ways mysterious
the wrath of man can bind,
and in your boldest foeman
your chosen saint can find.