Lyrics
He who would valiant be
'Gainst all disaster
Let him in constancy
Follow the Master
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound —
His strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might,
Though he with giants fight:
He will make good his right
To be a pilgrim.
Since, Lord, Thou doest defend
Us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away!
I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
Song History & Meaning
Composer / Hymnodist: John Bunyan
The journey of faith often invites challenges and voices of doubt, but true courage is found in keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. As pilgrims passing through this world, we are called to a steadfast resolve—not rooted in our own strength, but in the unwavering faithfulness of our Master. When discouragement surrounds us, we can press forward with confidence, knowing He walks every step of the way beside us. Today, let us renew our quiet determination to follow Him wherever He leads.
📖 Related Scripture Passages:
- Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore let's also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let's run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don't become weary, fainting in your souls.”
- Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
- Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I don't regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”