US Military Hymns

Each US military branch has a dedicated hymn to inspire singers to lift their voices in praise to God, honoring him as the creator of life and liberty:

[ Read the SemperVerus article, US Military Academy Prayers ]

Composed in 2020, the Space Force Hymn (Wikipedia) is the first military hymn written in 105 years. Its author, former Air Force Captain James F. Linzey, who retired as a chaplain from the Army, is the only living composer of a military hymn.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness in the USA Military ]

Each hymn’s stanzas are shown below, as is the NATO Hymn enhanced with sacred lyrics by Capt. Linzey. Originally written by Captain André Reichling of the Luxembourg Military Band in 1989 to commemorate NATO’s 40th anniversary, the hymn was officially adopted as an instrumental anthem in 2018. Now, Capt. Linzey’s sacred lyrics draw on Psalm 8 and George Frideric Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, bringing a spiritual dimension to NATO’s official music. Capt. Linzey says this rendition of the hymn and imagery are not in any way endorsed by NATO, nor are they official publications of NATO.

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The Air Force Hymn (Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly)

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces of the sky;
Be with them traversing the air
In dark’ning storms or sunshine fair.

Thou who dost keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight,
Thou of the tempered winds, be near,
That, having thee, they know no fear.

Control their minds with instinct fit
What time, adventuring, they quit
The firm security of land;
Grant steadfast eye and skillful hand.

Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them with Thy saving grace.
O God, protect the men who fly
Through lonely ways beneath the sky. Amen.
– Mary Christian Dundas Hamilton (1850–1943)
News Release / Air Force Hymn music / Purchase the sheet music

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Medals of Honor and Valor ]

The US Army Hymn (Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer)

Eternal Father, hear our prayer today;
As we march onward, lead in every way.
In war or peace, in serving, Thee each day,
Pour out Thy Spirit on us as we pray.

In divine love, may we serve hon’rably.
Should we e’er make the final sacrifice,
From up above, receive us fav’rably;
May our souls find acceptance in Thine eyes.

Amidst the trials, let us walk in faith,
Searching our hearts that we may have no shame;
Descend on us, may we not live in vain;
Repenting from all sin, we praise Thy name.

With love so fervent, we await Thy call;
Unscroll the heavens, let us hear Thee say,
“Well done, My servant,” as we bow in awe;
Eternal Father, hear our prayer today.
Purchase the sheet music

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Inspiring Military Mottos ]

The US Coast Guard Hymn (Ruler of Land and Sea)

Ruler of land and sea,
Grant us our humble quest;
Help all our guardians on the sea,
Who serve you as their guest;
Preserve their souls and keep
Their minds steadfast on Thee,
Who hail Thee as their divine King,
Throughout eternity.

Guardian of all who serve
Upon life’s stormy seas,
Send forth Thy hosts upon the earth,
To grant them divine peace;
Uphold them now, we sing,
Lest they should die for Thee,
And crown their lives victoriously,
To live eternally.

Grant them divine success,
While searching for the lost,
And those in peril and distress,
Whose cries ring out to God;
Thine eyes search high and low,
To keep them in Thy sight,
So, all the world may fully know
That Thou art God most high.

Author of liberty,
And King of heavenly light,
“Secure our freedom” is our plea;
Empower us by Thy might;
Behold, our mighty King,
The One who comes for me;
We praise Thy royal majesty,
Ruler of land and sea. Amen.
Purchase the sheet music

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Secure Your Base (Your Soul) ]

The US Marine Corps Hymn (Serving for Thee)

Wherever we may be, serving for Thee,
May we in Thy care be, resting in Thee;
Watch over all our ways, may we e’er trust in Thee;
Lord ev’ry step we take, nearer to Thee.

When setting sun draws nigh, with faith in Thee,
May we serve fearlessly, nearer to Thee.
As eagles soar on high, on us look faithfully;
Then by that golden stream, we shall meet.

If we should ever fail, serving for Thee,
And darkest storms assail, hear our plea;
Thy power our souls shall take, this world shall we forsake;
Our spirits shall prevail, and abide with Thee.

And when the Day appears, and grace be shown,
We shall for Thee arise, with Thy glory known;
On wings of joy sublime, enraptured, we shall find
That when the Day appears, we shall be Thine. Amen.
Purchase the sheet music

[ Read the SemperVerus article, 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord for American Independence ]

The US Navy Hymn (Eternal Father, Strong to Save)

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep,
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at thy word,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep,
O hear us when we cry to thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace,
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea!

Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.

Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair.
US Naval Academy Chapel hymn lyrics / Purchase the sheet music

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Important US Dates to Commemorate ]

The US Space Force Hymn (Creator of the Universe)

Creator of the universe,
Watch over those who fly,
Through the great space beyond the Earth,
And worlds beyond the sky.

O God, who rules the heart and mind,
And takes away all fear,
O God who saves with tender might,
And calms the wind, draw near.

Thy presence, felt with boundless love,
Wherever they may go,
Thy Spirit, gentle as a dove,
Be Thou the God they know.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
In prayer before Thy light;
In solitude of sovereign grace,
Grant courage for each flight. Amen.
— James F. Linzey
News Release / Christianity Today article / SpaceForceHymn.com / MyMilitaryBible.com / Space Force Hymn music / Purchase the sheet music

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Make Your Bed, Change Your World ]

The NATO Hymn

King of kings and Lord of lords,
How great is Thy Name!
Thy glory crowns the skies
With eternal flame.

Above all the heavens,
Thy splendor soars;
All the earth and seas proclaim:
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!

By the lips of little ones
Thy mighty strength is sung;
Thy strength prevails,
Thy strength prevails,
Thy strength prevails against the evil one.

Crowned with grace, we rise and stand
Beneath Thy mighty hand,
Proclaiming all Thy wondrous works
Throughout the earth and land.

King of kings and Lord of lords,
Thou wilt always reign;
Let every voice in awe proclaim:
“We exalt Thy Name!”
— James F. Linzey
News Release / Listen to the mp3 instrumental NATO Hymn

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Use of Department of Defense imagery does not constitute product or organizational endorsement of any kind.

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