Virtus Christi (The Strength of Christ)

[Intro – low drone, heartbeat drum] Domine, tu es fortitudo mea Et robur meum (Psalm 18:1, adapted) [Verse 1 – finger-picked, rising] Gideon stood with only three hundred jars And torches hidden in his hand The Midianite host fled before the flame Because the Lord had made him stand Samson woke with the Spirit rushing in And tore the gates from Gaza’s wall David ran toward the giant with a stone Because the Lord was over all [Pre-chorus – monk choir, steady build] Non in gladio, nec in arcu Sed in nomine Domini (Psalm 20:7) [Chorus – full, defiant] VIRTUS CHRISTI I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me VIRTUS CHRISTI He breaks the yoke and sets the captive free When I am weak, then I am strong His power rests on broken ones (2 Corinthians 12:9) [Verse 2 – rain on armor, voice lifts] Paul and Silas sang at midnight in the chains The prison doors flew open wide Timothy stood trembling, young and small Yet God did not give fear inside The same Spirit that raised the dead to life Now lives in jars of clay And every step I take that seems too hard Is carried by His strength today [Chorus – heavier, marching drums] VIRTUS CHRISTI I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) VIRTUS CHRISTI God has not given us a spirit of fear But of power, love, and self discipline (2 Timothy 1:7) [Bridge – silence, then single voice] The lion’s mouth is shut The fire forgets to burn The sea becomes a road The giant learns to fall Because the strength is never mine It only passes through [Final Chorus – soaring, cathedral roar] VIRTUS CHRISTI When I have nothing left, I still have Him VIRTUS CHRISTI The weak say “I am strong” and rise again For every battle I will ever face Is already won by boundless grace Virtus Christi Through Christ alone I stand [Outro – soft rain fading, monk choir] Tu es fortitudo mea Domine, in aeternum Amen.