Am I a Soldier of the Cross
Am I a soldier of the cross
Am I a Soldier of the Cross is a hymn text by Isaac Watts (1709) in C.M. meter. Found in bh08 658, ch95 604, lw 262, th 573. Sung to MARTYN.
The hymn articulates a robust doctrine of Christian discipleship rooted in the suffering of Christ and the believer's call to take up the cross. Lutheran hymnals preserved it as a witness to faith's demands and the Christian's participation in Christ's redemptive suffering through faithful witness and perseverance.
History & Background
Written by Isaac Watts in 1709 and published in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, this hymn became one of the most influential Methodist and evangelical hymns of the 18th-19th centuries. It has been widely translated and adapted across Protestant denominations including Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 658
- Chalice Hymnal — 604
- Lutheran Worship — 262
- Trinity Hymnal — 573
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 445
- United Methodist Hymnal — 511
Bulletin Note
Written by Isaac Watts in 1709, this enduring hymn became a touchstone of evangelical and Lutheran hymnody. Its unflinching question—'Am I a soldier?'—reflects Reformation conviction that faith demands active, costly discipleship rooted in Christ's cross.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Law's demand for sacrificial discipleship while anchoring believers in the Gospel's promise that Christ's cross-victory sustains our courage and transforms suffering into witness.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Call to spiritual warfare → empowerment through Christ → equipment with God's promises → sustained struggle and victory
Background Research
TLH 445. Isaac Watts appended it to a sermon on 1 Cor 16:13 ("Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong"), titled "Holy Fortitude, or Remedies against Fear" (Sermon XXXI, Sermons vol. 3, c. 1721–24; index date range). The sermon aimed to rouse flagging faith and perseverance. British books mostly dropped it, but American hymnals took it up from the early 1800s (UMC Discipleship: Methodist Pocket Hymnbook 1802/1803). Methodists altered the final stanza in 1831 and changed wording in stanza 3 in 1849. The usual tune ARLINGTON comes from the overture to Thomas Arne's opera Artaxerxes (1762), arranged by Ralph Harrison (Sacred Harmony, 1784). Note: Watts lived nearly 30 years as Sir Thomas Abney's guest and died there in 1748.
Overview
Isaac Watts's hymn following a sermon on 1 Cor 16:13 ('Stand fast in the faith… be strong'). Shall a soldier of the cross blush to speak Christ's name? (st. 1); must I be carried to heaven on 'flowery beds of ease' while others sailed through bloody seas? (st. 2); is this vile world a friend to grace? (st. 3); I must fight to reign — increase my courage, supported by your Word (st. 4); your saints conquer though they die (st. 5); on the great Day 'The glory shall be Thine' (st. 6).
Central theme: The Christian life as warfare under the cross, sustained by the Word, with the victory and glory belonging to Christ
Structure
Six common-meter quatrains. Soldier (1) — no beds of ease (2) — foes (3) — courage (4) — conquering in death (5) — the Day (6).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: the world's enmity; the fight (2-4). Gospel: 'Supported by Thy Word'; 'conquer though they die'; 'The glory shall be Thine' (4-6).
Confessional Connections
1 Cor 16:13 (TLH's text). 'Must I be carried… On flow'ry beds of ease?' — 'through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom' (Acts 14:22); the theology of the cross against a theology of glory. 'Sure I must fight if I would reign' (2 Tim 2:12) must be read as the pattern of discipleship, not a condition earning the crown (AC IV, VI); the weapon is the Word: 'Supported by Thy Word' (st. 4; Eph 6:17). St. 5: martyrs 'conquer though they die' (Rev 12:11). St. 6: 'The glory shall be Thine' — all glory to God (soli Deo gloria).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Confirmation; Reformation; Christian warfare; martyrs' commemorations.
Historical Notes
Watts appended it to his sermon 'Holy Fortitude, or Remedies against Fear' (1721-24).
About the Tune
WINCHESTER OLD (Thomas Este's Psalter, 1592).
Scripture References
1 Cor 16:13 Mark 8:38 2 Tim 2:3 Rom 1:16 Acts 14:22 Heb 11:36-38 John 15:19 Jas 4:4 2 Tim 2:12 Eph 6:17 Rev 12:11 Heb 11:13 Rev 7:9-10 Rev 19:14
Stanza by Stanza
Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb, and shall I be afraid to own his cause or blush to speak his name?
'Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus' (2 Tim 2:3). 'I am not ashamed of the gospel' (Rom 1:16). 'Whoever is ashamed of me' (Mark 8:38).
- Scripture
- 2 Tim 2:3, Rom 1:16, Mark 8:38, Rev 14:4
- Imagery & language
- Soldier; follower of the Lamb; not ashamed.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the call to confess.
- Connection to previous
- Soldier.
Must I be carried to heaven on flowery beds of ease while others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God' (Acts 14:22). The martyrs of Heb 11:36-38.
- Scripture
- Acts 14:22, Heb 11:36-38
- Imagery & language
- Flowery beds of ease; bloody seas.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — no theology of glory.
- Connection to previous
- No ease.
Are there no enemies for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, helping me on to God?
'Because you are not of the world… the world hates you' (John 15:19). 'Friendship with the world is enmity with God' (Jas 4:4).
- Scripture
- John 15:19, Jas 4:4, 1 Pet 5:8
- Imagery & language
- Foes; flood; vile world.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the world's enmity.
- Connection to previous
- The world no friend.
Surely I must fight if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord! I will bear the toil and endure the pain, supported by your Word.
'If we endure, we will also reign with him' (2 Tim 2:12). 'The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God' (Eph 6:17).
- Scripture
- 2 Tim 2:12, Eph 6:17, Josh 1:9
- Imagery & language
- Fight; reign; courage; supported by the Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Word sustains.
- Connection to previous
- Supported by Thy Word.
Your saints in this whole glorious war will conquer though they die; they see the triumph from far off with faith's discerning eye.
'They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb… for they loved not their lives even unto death' (Rev 12:11). 'Having seen them and greeted them from afar' (Heb 11:13).
- Scripture
- Rev 12:11, Heb 11:13
- Imagery & language
- Saints; conquer though they die; faith's eye.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — victory through death.
- Connection to previous
- Conquer though they die.
When that glorious Day rises and all your armies shine through the skies in robes of victory, the glory will be yours.
The white-robed multitude (Rev 7:9-10). 'The armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen' (Rev 19:14). Soli Deo gloria.
- Scripture
- Rev 7:9-10, Rev 19:14
- Imagery & language
- Illustrious Day; armies; robes of victory; glory Thine.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — glory to God.
- Connection to previous
- Glory Thine.
Themes
Christian courage Cross-bearing discipleship Spiritual warfare Commitment to Christ Martyrdom and witness