Words: Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Nigel Lee. (Here is my attempt to get Patrick’s Irish Lorica to rhyme in English.)
Tune: St. Petersburg or Melita (U.S. Navy Hymn)
Today I rise, and now commune
with my Creator God Triune.
He’s One, by grace through faith I know
Jehovah God, from long ago!
He’s also Elohim. Thus Three
from, and until, eternity!
Today I rise, and with my eyes
I see how John did Christ baptize —
His cross and grave I clearly see.
I know He went there, all for me.
Because He rose up from His tomb,
my sin no longer means my doom!
Today I rise, while angels serve
I’ll pray with every ounce of nerve.
I’ll heed God’s heralds; read His Word;
then I will very gladly gird
His Spirit’s sword for works of love.
His saints must be: pure as a dove.
Today I’ll rise before the sun
its daily rising has begun —
before the rushings of the wind,
or thunderbolts have loudly dinned.
For God’s deep sea is in His hand,
and rock-firm is His promised land.
Today I rise. God’s strength me guides;
His might all day with me abides.
His wisdom leads; His eye shall guard;
His ear shall hear; His Word bombard
my foes. His gentle hands protect
and keep me on His road correct.
God’s angels guard me ‘gainst all snares;
against all vicious trials and scares;
against all of my carnal lusts;
against all nature’s stormy gusts;
against all harm, both far and near.
Against all foes, I have no fear.
Christ shelters from each harmful wound
no matter what my foes impugned.
‘Gainst burns and drownings, ‘gainst all falls.
Against all poisons, and all brawls
Christ guards me with His mighty sword.
So I’ll yet get His good reward.
My Christ is with me, and before,
behind, beneath, above — and more.
Christ’s on my left, Christ’s on my right —
there when I sit, and when I fight.
Whatever I may take to hand,
Christ’s there — when I’m asleep, or stand.
Christ’s where I rise, when every day
I read His Word and to Him pray.
When I’m discussed, He’s in the heart —
He’s in the mouth, right from the start.
He’s in the eye of all who see
and hear the actions done by me.
Today I rise, in God’s strong Name,
the great Jehovah to proclaim.
The Lord is always One and Three —
my God, for all eternity!
Yes, God is always One and Three —
my Lord, for all eternity!
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