O God, Thy Soldiers’ Crown and Guard

O God, Thy soldiers’ crown and guard,
And their exceeding great reward;
From all transgressions set us free,
Who sing Thy martyr’s victory.

The pleasures of the world he spurned,
From sin’s pernicious lures he turned;
He knew their joys imbued with gall,
And thus he reached Thy heavenly hall.

For Thee through many a woe he ran,
In many a fight he played the man;
For Thee his blood he dared to pour,
And thence hath joy forevermore.

We therefore pray Thee, full of love,
Regard us from Thy throne above;
On this Thy martyr’s triumph day,
Wash every stain of sin away.

O Christ, most loving King, to Thee,
With God the Father, glory be;
Like glory, as is ever meet,
To God the holy Paraclete.

Author: Unknown

This is an English translation of the Latin hymn 'Deus tuorum militum'. The original Latin text dates to at least the 6th-8th century and is of unknown authorship. Common English versions are by J. M. Neale or others, but the specific wording here does not closely match Neale's published translation, suggesting an alternate or anonymous translator.