Lyrics
Verse 1
CAPTAIN of Israel's host, and guide
Of all who seek the land above,
Beneath thy shadow we abide,
The cloud of thy protecting love;
Our strength, thy grace; our rule, thy word;
Our end, the glory of the Lord.
Verse 2
By thine unerring Spirit led,
We shall not in the desert stray;
We shall not full direction need,
Nor miss our providential way;
As far from danger as from fear,
While love, almighty love, is near.
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Meaning & Inspiration
Captain Of Israel's Host, And Guide is a hymn text by Charles Wesley that treats Israel's passage through the wilderness as a picture of the Christian life. The first verse names Christ as the captain of Israel's host and guide of all who seek the land above, living beneath the shadow of the cloud of His protecting love, with strength in His grace, rule in His word and the glory of the Lord as the end.
The second verse says that, led by the unerring Spirit, believers will not stray in the desert or miss the providential way, and that love is near, keeping them as far from danger as from fear. The cloud and pillar imagery comes from Exodus 13:21-22, the guidance of the Spirit fits John 16:13 and Romans 8:14, and the heavenly goal echoes Hebrews 11:16. The language is formal and compact, typical of eighteenth-century hymnody, and each line carries a distinct idea of protection, guidance and hope.
Related Scripture
- Exodus 13:21-22 The Lord goes before Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
- John 16:13 The Spirit of truth is said to guide believers into all truth.
- Hebrews 11:16 Believers desire a better, heavenly country.