10 Powerful Hymns to Silence Satan's Lies

2. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our Lord” by H. F Hedge

Sometimes we’re deceived into believing our fears are bigger than our God, but this is far from true. He is the all-powerful, ever-present One who commands heaven’s armies. Psalm 147:4-5 tells us, “He determines the number of stars,” known to contain unfathomable amounts of energy, “and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”

As Hedge’s hymn states, God truly is a mighty fortress, “a bulwark never failing. Our helper, He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.”

Whatever we’re facing, God is bigger, and He’s always fighting for us.

Lyrics:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe

His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He

The Lord of hosts His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also

The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever

Credit: sovereigngracemusic.org

3. “Joyful Song” by Fanny Crosby

Our foe attempts to defeat, paralyze, and terrorize us, but Scripture says he’s been defeated. Through the cross, Christ “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:15). While the war between good and evil rages on, in truth, the battle has already been won. 

As Fanny wrote, “Victory, victory thro’ Him that redeemed us! Victory, victory thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord.”

4. “Jesus Calls Thee” by S. A. Collin

Satan tries to tell us that our sins are too great, too dark for God’s redeeming love. Unfortunately, many of our past experiences with other seems to confirm this lie. When we mess up, people are often quick to cast us aside and reject us, but that’s not how God responds. Whereas our worst behaviors might indeed push others aside, Jesus forever calls us to Himself, where we receive mercy, love, and peace. “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened,” He said, “and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Rest from striving, from trying to earn our salvation, and from the heavy weight of our sin.

The nineteenth century hymn “Jesus Calls Thee” assures us that God’s invitation extends to all, us included. “Jesus, gracious One, calleth now to thee,” he wrote, “‘Come, O sinner come!’ Calls so tenderly, calls so lovingly, ‘Now, O sinner, come.’”

Lyrics:

Jesus, gracious one, calleth now to thee,
"Come, O sinner, come!"
Calls so tenderly, calls so lovingly,

"Now, O sinner, come?"
Words of peace and blessing,
Christ's own love confessing;

Refrain:

Hear the sweet voice of Jesus,
Full, full of love;
Calling tenderly, calling lovingly,
"Come, O sinner, come!"

Still he waits for thee, pleading patiently,
"Come, O come to me!
Heavy-laden one, I thy grief have borne,

Come and rest in me."
Words of love o'erflowing,
Life and bliss bestowing; [Refrain]

Weary, sin-sick soul, called so graciously,
Canst thou dare refuse?
Mercy offered thee, freely, tenderly,

Wilt thou still abuse?
Come, for time is flying,
Haste, thy lamp is dying; [Refrain]

5. “Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters” by Phoebe J. Hanaford

Many of us have led ministries and Bible studies, raised children, or prayed fervently for others with seemingly little effect. During those times, when our perseverance begins to wear thin, Satan tries to use our weakness to his advantage, whispering lies like, “Why try? She never listens to you. Her heart is too hard.” Or, “Why continue praying? Surely if they were going to receive God’s gift of salvation, they would have done so already.”

We know, however, that God’s timing is often much different than ours and His patience much greater. Therefore, may we follow the advice recorded in Phoebe Hanaford’s hymn to “cast [our] bread upon the waters, thinking not ‘tis thrown away.” For “God has said thou shalt gather rich rewards some future day. … God shall send a bounteous harvest if thou sowest with lib’ral hand.”

We’re to share the gospel, whenever and however we can. God alone has the power to bring fruit from our words.

Lyrics:

"Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Ye who have but scant supply;
Angel eyes will watch above it;
You shall find it by and by;

He who in his righteous balance,
Doth each human action weigh,
Will your sacrifice remember,
Will your loving deeds repay.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters;
Sad and weary, worn with care,
Wherefore sitting in the shadow?
Surely you've a crumb to spare.

Can you not to those around you
Sing some little song of hope,
As you look with longing vision
Thro' faith's mighty telescope?

"Cast thy bread upon the waters,"
Ye who have abundant store;
It may float on many a billow,
It may strand on many a shore;

You may think it lost forever,
But, as sure as God is true,
In this life, or in the other,
It will yet return to you.

Credit: hymnary.org

Photo Credit:  © Getty Images/SHODOgraphy

6. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by George Scriven

When we’re hurting, experiencing difficulties, or dealing with human rejection, Satan tells us we’re all alone. We may even feel as if this is true, but Scripture says differently. In Christ, we are never alone, for He is always with us. Christ Himself promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore, regardless of our circumstances or what our fickle emotions or spiritual enemy might say, we can trust God remains at our side always.

When loneliness invades our hearts, may we hold tight to the Friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:2). That friend is Jesus, and oh what a faithful friend He is. “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer,” the song says. “Jesus knows our every weakness.” So “take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Lyrics:

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to be

And what a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Credit: Gaither Music TV

Photo Credit: © Unsplash

7. “Abiding and Confiding” by Albert B. Simpson

On our own, we are weak and easily defeated. This is, in part, why Satan urges us to rely on ourselves. We find our greatest strength not through striving but rather through surrender. Jesus said He is the vine, our source of nourishment, and we are the branches, ever dependent on Him. When we remain connected to Him, we bear much fruit. Godly, life-changing fruit. Apart from Him, however, we “can do nothing” (John 15:5).

We need Jesus to live and love like Him, and praise God, we have Him. Through faith, we have resurrection power within. That power gains force within through our ever-deepening relationship with Christ, through abiding and confiding, as this song states. Whenever a desire for control rises within us, may we sing these words from Simpson’s hymn: “I am crucified with Jesus, and He lives and dwells in me. I have ceased from all my struggling, tis no longer I but He; All my will is yielded to Him, and His Spirit reigns within, and His precious blood each moment keeps me cleansed and free from sin.”

Lyrics:

I have learn'd the wondrous secret
Of abiding in the Lord;
I have found the strength and sweetness
Of confiding in his word;

I have tasted life's pure fountain,
I am trusting in his blood,
I have lost myself in Jesus,
I am sinking into God.

Chorus:
I'm abiding in the Lord,
And confiding in his word,
And I'm hiding, safely hiding,
In the bosom of his love.

I am crucified with Jesus,
And he lives and dwells in me,
I have ceased from all my struggling,
'Tis no longer I, but he;

All my will is yielded to him,
And his Spirit reigns within,
And his precious blood each moment
Keeps me cleans'd and free from sin. [Chorus]

All my cares I cast upon him,
And he bears them all away;
All my fears and griefs I tell him,
All my needs from day to day.

All my strength I draw from Jesus,
By his breath I live and move;
E'en his very mind he gives me,
And his faith, and life, and love. [Chorus]

For my words I take his wisdom,
For my works his Spirit's pow'r,
For my ways his gracious Presence
Guards and guides me ev'ry hour.

Of my heart he is the Portion,
Of my joy the ceaseless Spring;
Saviour, the Sanctifier, Keeper,
Glorious Lord and coming King. [Chorus]

Credit: hymnary.org

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/jjneff

8. “His Eye is on the Sparrow” by Civilla D Martin

Our constantly fluctuating economy can easily threaten our security, causing us to lose sight of our Provider. As our vision shifts and our anxiety mounts, fear-triggering lies take hold, causing us to place more faith in our checking account or job market than our faithful Father. But such worries weaken our hearts and distort our spiritual vision. This is why Jesus told us not to worry about what we’d eat, drink or wear. Our Heavenly Father, who feeds the birds and clothes the fields with beautiful flowers, knows what we need (Matthew 6).

In this beloved song, artist Civilla Martin reminds us, the same God who cares for all of creation remains focused on us. “His eye is on the sparrow,” Martin wrote, “and I know He watches over me.”

Lyrics:

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven, heaven and home,

When, when Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He;
Oh, oh-oh, his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watched, watched it over me.

I sing because I’m happy (happy)
I sing because I’m free (free free free)
For His eye, his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know, I know He watches over me.

Credit: lyricfind, isbaptist Toronto

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Fred A

9. “A Blessing in Prayer” by E. E. Hewitt

Oh, the effort Satan will go to in order to distract us from prayer, one of our greatest spiritual weapons. James 5:16 assures us the prayer of a righteous person, which includes all who belong to Christ, is powerful and effective. The Greek word our Bibles translate as “powerful” describes a combative, overcoming force energized by God.

No matter our struggle, concern, or temptation, may we always first turn to prayer. Because like Hewitt’s hymn states, “There is rest, sweet rest, at the Master’s feet, there is favor now at the mercy seat … There is grace to help in our time of need.” And “when the powers of sin would the soul ensnare, there is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.”

Lyrics:

There is rest, sweet rest, at the Master's feet.
There is favor now at the mercy seat,
For atoning blood has been sprinkled there.
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

[Refrain]

There's a blessing in prayer, in believing prayer,
When our Saviour's name to the throne we bear.
Then a Father's love will receive us there;
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

There is grace to help in our time of need,
For our Friend above is a Friend indeed.
We may cast on Him ev'ry grief and care.
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer. [Refrain]

When our songs are glad with the joy of life,
When our hearts are sad with its ills and strife,
When the pow'rs of sin would the soul ensnare,
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer. [Refrain]

There is perfect peace tho' the wild waves roll;
There are gifts of love for the seeking soul,
Till we praise the Lord in His home so fair.
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer. [Refrain]

Credit: hymnary.org

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang

10. “Heaven is My Home” by Thomas R. Taylor

When trials hit, we may feel as if our hardships will never end. And Satan, seeking ever to discourage and defeat us, will whisper much the same. “Your pain will last forever,” he says. “Why keep fighting, enduring? Relief will never come.”

But we know those statements are lies. While our heartache may seem unending, Scripture promises, one day Christ will return to pluck us out of this dark and sin-cursed land. Our pain might feel relentless, never-ending, but even so, our hope of heaven remains.

May Taylor’s lyrics bolster our hearts as we sing, “I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home; Earth is a desert drear; heaven is my home.”

Scripture tells us God inhabits the praises of His people. When we raise our voices to the King of kings, His presence surrounds and fills us, reminding us of who we are in Him and all He has given us. We’re not helpless, alone or powerless against all of Satan’s attacks. Rather, we’re empowered, protected, and victorious in Christ. As we reflectively echo the hymns sung in churches across the nation, may we remember and rest in these truths.

Lyrics: 

I'm but a stranger here,
Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear;
Heaven is my home:

Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.

What though the tempest rage,
Heaven is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage,
Heaven is my home:

And time's wild wintry blast
Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last,
Heaven is my home.

There at my Saviour's side,
Heaven is my home;
I shall be glorified,
Heaven is my home.

There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best;
And there I too shall rest,
Heaven is my home.

Therefore I murmur not,
Heaven is my home;
Whate'er my earthly lot,
Heaven is my home:

And I shall surely stand
There at my Lord's right hand:
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.

Credit: The Scottish Festival Singers, hymnary.org

Photo Credit:  © Unsplash/Xuan Nguyen