I Heard the Singing Warriors - A Poem

I Heard the Singing Warriors

By Peter Bringe

"Let the high praises of God be in their throats

and two-edged swords in their hands..." (Psalm 149:6)

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh 

but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)

I heard the singing warriors, 

As they came down the street.

They sang a song so grand and strong,

Amid the ruins wrought by wrong–

There they the foe did meet.

I saw the happy warriors,

‘Mid darkness, shade, and gloom.

With sword in hand, they sang an ode

To God for joy, and thus they rode

Heedless of death and tomb.

I heard the wounded warriors,

A note of tragic woe,

They bowed their heads and raised their eyes,

“Look to your earth, O God, arise!

Let men your power know.”

I saw the bloody warriors,

Limping, weak, and hurt,

Still singing loud, with hopeful hearts

They formed a ring to shield from darts

New sprouts amid the dirt.

I watched the hopeful warriors

And, though the ruins loomed,

Amid the clash of sword and steel

I heard the sound of home and field–

It seemed new flowers bloomed.

I heard the singing warriors,

And understood their mirth:

Their lives were not their own domain

They fought for God, His kingly reign,

And peace, new life, on earth.