Who Is On The Lord’s Side?
Who Is on the Lord’s Side?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side, Savior, we are Thine.
Not for weight of glory, not for crown and palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died;
He whom Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side, Savior, we are Thine.
Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,
But with Thine own lifeblood, for Thy diadem.
With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side, Savior, we are Thine.
Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army none can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging; vict’ry is secure;
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side, Savior, we are Thine.
FOR SOMEONE who struggled with illness much of her life, Frances Ridley Havergal wrote a remarkable number of vigorous, robust hymns. The last manuscript she worked on was Starlight through the Shadows, a book for invalids. She died before she could complete the book, but her sister added the final chapter from Havergal’s unpublished papers. That chapter is entitled “Marching Orders” and concludes with the words of this hymn.
The hymn is based on 1 Chronicles 12:1-18. In the biblical text, the early followers of David are listed: archers and slingers, experts in running and swimming. David asked them whose side they were on, and they responded: “We are yours, David! We are on your side” (1 Chronicles 12:18). Frances Havergal put the refrain like this: “We are on the Lord’s side, Savior, we are Thine.”
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”
John 6:66-68
From the book
