By Whom Was David Taught?
William Cowper, 1731-1800
By whom was David taught
To aim the dreadful blow,
When he Goliath fought,
And laid the giant low?
No sword nor spear the stripling took,
But chose a pebble from the brook.
'Twas Israel's God and King,
Who sent him to the fight,
Who gave him strength to sling
And skill to aim aright;
Ye feeble saints, your strength endures,
Because young David's God is yours.
Who ordered Gideon forth,
To storm the invader's camp,
With arms of little worth -
A pitcher and a lamp?
The trumpets made his coming known,
And all the host was overthrown.
O! I have seen the day,
When, with a single word,
God helping me to say,
"My trust is in the Lord,"
My soul has quelled a thousand foes,
Fearless of all that could oppose.
But unbelief, self-will,
Self-righteousness, and pride,
How often do they steal
My weapon from my side!
Yet David's Lord and Gideon's Friend,
Will help his servant to the end.
