Hymn: Faint not, Christian, though the road

Faint not, Christian, though the road,
Leading to thy blest abode,
Darksome be, and dangerous too—
Christ, thy guide, will bring thee through.

Faint not, Christian, though in rage,
Satan would thy soul engage;
Gird on faith’s anointed shield,
Bear it to the battlefield.

Faint not, Christian, though the world,
Has its hostile flag unfurled:
Hold the cross of Jesus fast,
Thou shalt overcome at last.

Faint not, Christian, though within,
There’s a heart so prone to sin;
Christ, the Lord, is over all,
He’ll not suffer thee to fall.

Faint not, Christian, though thy God
Smite thee with His chast’ning rod;
Smite He must with father’s care,
That he may His love declare.

Faint not, Christian, Jesu’s near,
Soon in glory he’ll appear;
And His love will then bestow,
Power over every foe.

Faint not, Christian, look on high,
See the harpers in the sky:
Patient wait, and thou wilt join—
Chant with them of love divine.

James H. Evans

This hymn is from J. C. Ryle’s little book Spiritual Songs, published in 1849, when he was rector of Helmingham, Suffolk. The hymns Ryle selected were not found in the most common hymnbooks of the day.

Suggested tune: University College (“Oft in danger, oft in woe”).

Download a .pdf file of the hymnal.