O Church Arise!

By Fanny J. Crosby

Lyrics

1. O Church of God, arise!
Reach out thy helping hand,
And like a trumpet let thy voice
Go forth to ev’ry land;
Lay not thine armor down,
Nor cease by day or night,
To lift the sword of Gospel truth,
And wield it for the right.

Refrain
Then arise in thy glory, O Church of God, arise!
’Tis the dawn of the morrow that greets thy waiting eyes
But cloud and mist and shadow must all be rolled away.
But cloud and mist and shadow must all be rolled away.
Before the world will usher in the long expected day.

2. O Church of God, arise!
Thy borders wide extend,
And o’er the earth’s remotest bounds
Thy heralds quickly send;
Thine armies now are great,
But greater they must be,
For ev’ry nation, ev’ry clime
Shall yet rejoice in thee.

3. O Church of God, arise!
The grand old choral strain
Of peace on earth, good will to man,
That rang on Judah’s plain,
O’er all the world shall ring,
And echo far and wide,
And then the King, thy Lord, shall come,
And claim His faithful bride.

About This Hymn

"O Church Arise!" is a stirring hymn penned by Fanny J. Crosby in 1902. Crosby, renowned for her prolific hymn writing, composed this piece to inspire believers to stand firm in their faith and actively engage in the mission of spreading the gospel. The hymn's lyrics call the church to "put your armor on" and to "reach out thy helping hand," echoing the apostle Paul's exhortation in Ephesians 6:10–18 to don the full armor of God.

Musically, the hymn is set to the tune "O Church of God, Arise!" composed by John R. Sweney. Sweney, a contemporary of Crosby, was a prominent composer and music director in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Together, Crosby and Sweney created a hymn that not only emphasizes the church's mission but also encourages a resolute and active faith.

The hymn has been included in various hymnals, such as "The New Living Hymns" (Living Hymns No. 2), "The Hymnal" (1955 edition), and "The Cyber Hymnal," reflecting its enduring appeal in Christian worship. Its message continues to resonate, urging the church to arise and fulfill its calling in the world.