Matthew 16:18: "'And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'"
Psalm 145:13: "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works."
Ephesians 4:4-6: "4 There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 6:10-18: "10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints"
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The text is public domain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,Marching as to war,With the cross of JesusGoing on before.Christ, the royal master,Leads against the foe;Forward into battleSee His banners go!Onward, Christian soldiers,Marching as to war,With the cross of JesusGoing on before.Like a mighty armyMoves the Church of God;Brothers, we are treadingWhere the saints have trod.We are not divided,All one body we,One in hope and doctrine,One in charity.Onward, Christian soldiers,Marching as to war,With the cross of JesusGoing on before.Crowns and thrones may perish,Kingdoms rise and wane,But the Church of JesusConstant will remain.Gates of hell can never'Gainst that Church prevail;We have Christ's own promise,And that cannot fail.Onward, Christian soldiers,Marching as to war,With the cross of JesusGoing on before.Onward, then, ye faithful,Join our happy throng,Blend with ours your voicesIn the triumph song:Glory, laud, and honorUnto Christ, the king;This through countless agesMen and angels sing.Onward, Christian soldiers,Marching as to war,With the cross of JesusGoing on before.
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The martial imagery in the hymn, particularly in the first two verses and the refrain, seems to come from Ephesians 6:10-18.
Ephesians 4:4-6 appears at the end of the second verse: "We are not divided, / All one body we, / One in hope and doctrine, / One in charity."
Psalm 145:13 and Matthew 16:18 both appear in the third verse: "But the Church of Jesus / Constant will remain. / Gates of hell can never / 'Gainst that Church prevail."
The second half of the fourth verse may come from Revelation 5:11-14: "11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' 14 And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped."
