When first my soul enlisted

SAUL's armor by John Newton


 * When first my soul enlisted
 * My Savior's foes to fight;
 * Mistaken friends insisted
 * I was not armed aright:
 * So Saul advised David
 * He certainly would fail;
 * Nor could his life be saved
 * Without a coat of mail.


 * But David, though he yielded
 * To put the armor on,
 * Soon found he could not wield it,
 * And ventured forth with none.
 * With only sling and pebble
 * He fought the fight of faith;
 * The weapons seemed but feeble,
 * Yet proved Goliath's death.


 * Had I by him been guided,
 * And quickly thrown away
 * The armor men provided,
 * I might have gained the day;
 * But armed as they advised me,
 * My expectations failed;
 * My enemy surprised me,
 * And had almost prevailed.


 * Furnished with books and notions,
 * And arguments and pride
 * I practised all my motions,
 * And Satan's pow'r defied
 * But soon perceived with trouble,
 * That these would do no good;
 * Iron to him is stubble,
 * And brass like rotten wood.


 * I triumphed at a distance
 * While he was out of sight;
 * But faint was my resistance
 * When forced to join in fight:
 * He broke my sword in shivers,
 * And pierced my boasted shield;
 * Laughed at my vain endeavors,
 * And drove me from the field.


 * Satan will not be braved
 * By such a worm as I;
 * Then let me learn with David,
 * To trust in the Most High;
 * To plead the name of Jesus,
 * And use the sling of prayer;
 * Thus armed, when Satan sees us
 * He'll tremble and despair.