Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You
Rise! to arms! with prayer employ you
Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You is a hymn text by Christian Keymann (1658) in 8.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in lsb 668, lw 303, tlh 444. Sung to NUN FREUT EUCH.
The hymn articulates Lutheran understandings of Christian life as active spiritual warfare requiring both divine grace and human response through prayer and vigilance. It balances God's protective power with the believer's responsibility to remain watchful and prayerful against spiritual enemies.
History & Background
Written by German pastor Christian Keymann in 1658, this hymn became part of Lutheran hymnody reflecting post-Reformation theology. The text emphasizes spiritual vigilance through prayer and the Christian's armor against evil, drawing directly from Ephesians 6.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Service Book — 668
- Lutheran Worship — 303
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 444
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Christian Keymann in 1658, this German hymn expresses the Reformed Lutheran conviction that Christian life demands both divine protection and human response—grace and vigilance working together in spiritual warfare.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens the Law's demand for spiritual alertness while anchoring believers in the Gospel's assurance that God's grace—not human willpower—sustains us in the struggle against sin and evil.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: human sinfulness and bondage under Satan → God's mercy in Christ → Christ's substitutionary atonement → faith's response and eschatological hope
Overview
A hymn of spiritual warfare on Ephesians 6:10-18 by Wilhelm Erasmus Arends, a Pietist pastor, sung to Nicolai's 'Wachet auf.' It summons Christians to arm themselves with prayer and the Word, for Satan plots their fall, but 'Immanuel' is with us (st. 1); to cast off worldly pleasure and fight in Jesus' strength toward the crown (st. 2); to fight wisely because time is short and the trumpet will wake the dead (st. 3); and prays Jesus to keep his blood-bought children and pour out his Spirit (st. 4). The weapons are prayer and the Word; the victory is Christ's.
Central theme: The Christian's warfare against Satan, fought with prayer and the Word, won by Immanuel
Structure
Four twelve-line stanzas on Nicolai's long WACHET AUF meter. Call to arms (1) — the race (2) — urgency and judgment (3) — prayer (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'Here is Immanuel'; Christ our Shield; purchased with his blood (1, 4). Urgency and judgment (3) keep watchfulness alive.
Confessional Connections
The Word as weapon (Eph 6:17; Luther: 'one little word can fell him'). Christ's victory as ours (Christus Victor). Perseverance by Christ's keeping (FC XI). The Spirit poured out (Rom 5:5). 'Hours of grace' — the time of the Gospel's offer (2 Cor 6:2).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Church militant; Reformation; Trinity season; confirmation.
Historical Notes
Arends (1677-1721), Pietist pastor at Halberstadt; published 1714. Sloan translated it in 1865.
About the Tune
WACHET AUF (Philipp Nicolai, 1599).
Scripture References
Eph 6:10-18 1 Pet 5:8 Heb 4:12 Matt 1:23 Rom 8:37 1 John 2:15-17 Phil 3:14 2 Tim 4:7-8 Eph 5:16 2 Cor 6:2 1 Cor 15:52 Heb 6:20 John 10:28 Acts 20:28 Rom 5:5
Stanza by Stanza
Rise! To arms! Use prayer, Christians, so that the enemy does not destroy you, for Satan has planned your fall. Wield God's Word, a glorious weapon; you will be victorious over every foe; our God will set you over them all. Is Satan strong and fierce? Here is Immanuel. Sing hosanna! The strong give way; with Christ our shield we hold the field as conquerors.
Eph 6:10-18: the armor of God, with prayer and 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God' (6:17-18). Satan 'designed your fall' (1 Pet 5:8). The decisive answer: 'Is Satan strong and fell? Here is Immanuel' — God with us (Matt 1:23). Victory is Christ's (Rom 8:37; Col 2:15).
- Scripture
- Eph 6:10-18, 1 Pet 5:8, Heb 4:12, Matt 1:23, Rom 8:37
- Imagery & language
- Call to arms; Word as weapon; Immanuel.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Immanuel's victory.
- Connection to previous
- Call to arms.
Throw away this world's empty pleasures; fight boldly for heavenly treasures and stand firm in Jesus' strength. He will help whatever happens, and nothing will harm you with Christ beside you; by faith you will conquer. So shame, weary soul! Look ahead to the goal: joy awaits you. Run the race; when the battle is done, your crown of glory will be won.
Renouncing the world's vanity (1 John 2:15-17). 'In Jesus' might' — not our own. 'By faith you'll conquer' (1 John 5:4). The weary soul is rebuked and encouraged: 'look forward to the goal' (Phil 3:14; Heb 12:1-2). The crown (2 Tim 4:7-8) is grace's reward.
- Scripture
- 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 5:4, Phil 3:14, Heb 12:1-2, 2 Tim 4:7-8
- Imagery & language
- Race; goal; crown.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — strength in Jesus; the crown.
- Connection to previous
- The race.
Fight wisely, for time is fleeting and the hours of grace are quickly retreating; our earthly way is short. Then the trumpet wakes the dead and sinners quake in fear, while the saints greet that day with joy. Bless God; our triumph is sure, though we long endured scorn and trial. Son of God, you will lead us to your home by the way you yourself have walked.
'Making the best use of the time' (Eph 5:16). 'Hours of grace' (2 Cor 6:2). The last day: trumpet, resurrection (1 Cor 15:52), fear for sinners, joy for saints. 'The way Thyself hast trod' — Christ the forerunner (Heb 6:20; 12:2): he has passed through suffering to glory and leads us the same way.
- Scripture
- Eph 5:16, 2 Cor 6:2, 1 Cor 15:52, Heb 6:20, Heb 12:2
- Imagery & language
- Fleeting time; trumpet; forerunner.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — urgency and judgment; Gospel — triumph sure.
- Connection to previous
- Urgency.
Jesus, cherish all your children and keep them from ever perishing, whom you purchased with your blood. Give us new life so that we look to you in heaven whenever we are afraid. Pour your Spirit on us so that we may love you more, with overflowing hearts; then we will be true to you in death and life forever. Amen.
Prayer to Christ: 'never perish' (John 10:28), 'purchased with Thy blood' (Acts 20:28). 'Thy Spirit on us pour' (Rom 5:5; Titus 3:6). Faithfulness 'in death and life eternally' (Rom 14:8). The warfare hymn ends not in our strength but in prayer.
- Scripture
- John 10:28, Acts 20:28, Rom 5:5, Titus 3:5-6, Rom 14:8
- Imagery & language
- Cherishing; blood; Spirit poured.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — prayer for keeping and the Spirit.
- Connection to previous
- Prayer.
Themes
Spiritual warfare Prayer and faith Christian armor Vigilance against sin Trust in God's strength