Tune: Finlandia
(\'We rest on thee, our shield and our defender\')
2 Chronicles 14 v.9-15
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In King Asa of Judah\'s day came Zerah
The Ethiopian, to strike terror
Into the people, his host a million {1}
And three hundred chariots, not less one
Then Asa and his people to battle
Against him went, forward, they did not stall
They gathered there in Zephathah\'s valley {2}
At Mareshah, and Asa there made plea {3}
To the Lord his God, saying, Lord, it be
Nothing with you to help, if with many
Or with them that have no power, so be
Help us, O Lord our God, our troubles see
For we rest on you, and in your name we go
Against this multitude, it be great foe
O Lord, you are our God, let not man prevail
Against you, but act, we your mercies tell
So the Lord the Ethiopians smote
They defeated by Asa, so \'tis wrote
They fled before him, and people pursued
Them to Gerar, they destroyed, not renewed {4}
The Lord gave victory, very much spoil
The people gathered, and did o\'ercome all
Took the tents, cattle, camels, sheep many
Returned to Jerusalem, liberty {5}
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{1} It says \'a thousand thousand\'. This may be a million, or a \'thousand tribes or clans\',
as thousand can also mean \'tribe or clan\' Either way, a huge number.
{2} A valley near Mareshah.
{3} Mareshah - 25 miles SW of Jerusalem.
{4} Gerar - 26 miles SW of Mareshah.
{5} Gerar to Jerusalem - 52 miles travelling NE.