ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high His royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict'ry unto vict'ry
His army shall He lead,
till ev'ry foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in His strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song.
To him who over-cometh
a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.
The hymn "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" has a poignant and powerful backstory tied to the life and death of a young American preacher during a time of spiritual revival and political tension.
📜 The Story Behind "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus"
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Lyrics by: George Duffield Jr. (1818–1888)
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Music by: George J. Webb (1803–1887) – tune: Webb
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First Published: 1858, Philadelphia, USA
⚔️ The Inspiration: A Dying Preacher’s Words
The hymn was written in memory of Rev. Dudley Tyng, a young and charismatic Episcopal minister in Philadelphia. Tyng was a bold evangelical leader during the 1857–1858 revival, known as the Great Awakening in America. He preached strongly against slavery and encouraged men to live boldly for Christ.
In March 1858, Tyng gave a powerful sermon at the YMCA in Philadelphia where over 1,000 men reportedly gave their lives to Christ. His message was based on Exodus 10:11, “Go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord.”
Just a few days later, on April 19, 1858, he suffered a fatal accident. While visiting a farm, his sleeve got caught in a corn-thresher and his arm was badly injured. He died from the wounds.
As he lay dying, his last words to a group of friends were:
“Let us all stand up for Jesus.”
✍️ George Duffield Jr. Writes the Hymn
Rev. George Duffield Jr., a close friend of Tyng, was deeply moved by his final words. That Sunday, he preached a sermon based on Ephesians 6:14 — “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” — and wrote the hymn as a tribute to Tyng.
He read the hymn at the close of his sermon, and it quickly spread through evangelical circles, appearing in hymnals across the United States.
✝️ Themes and Scripture References
The hymn is rich in biblical military imagery, especially from Ephesians 6:10–18, the "armor of God" passage. It is a rallying cry for courage, spiritual warfare, and faithfulness.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss…
The verses encourage believers to be brave, unashamed, and persistent in their faith, even in the face of trials or death—echoing Tyng’s life and legacy.
🌍 Legacy
"Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" became one of the most popular 19th-century American hymns and has been sung in revivals, crusades, and churches worldwide. While some modern hymnals omit it due to its militaristic language, it remains a beloved classic of Christian boldness and commitment.
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