7 inspirational hymns for Veterans Day
'Am I a Soldier of the Cross?'
Written by prolific 18th century hymn writer and clergyman Isaac Watts, "Am I a Soldier of the Cross" was created as a companion song to a sermon Watts preached that was based on 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
The hymn was originally published in the Methodist Pocket Hymnbook of 1802 and has seen its share of edits and revisions over the last couple of centuries regarding the lyrics.
"Beginning in 1831, the conclusion of the fifth stanza 'the crown enchants their eye' was replaced by the less troublesome 'by faith they bring it nigh,'" noted United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.
"The 1849 Methodist Episcopal Hymnal changed 'unhappy world' in stanza three, line three to 'vile world,' making a much stronger theological statement as to the condition of the earth."
