With a shout of bold derision

With a shout of bold derision. George Bett Blanchard* (1856-1927). This may be the only hymn that contains a vivid description of the fight between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), although it is mentioned briefly in ‘O, David was a shepherd lad’* by Charles Erskine Clarke*. Goliath speaks the first words, and the hymn then proceeds with a powerful narrative through five stanzas, in an irregular 7.6.7.6.D metre: With a shout of bold derision Goliath proudly came,And defied God's chosen people, And scorned his holy name.He wielded a mighty weapon, He was clad in a coat of mail;And the sight of Philistia’s champion Made the hearts of Israel quail. The hymn is set to the German tune KOMM,...

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