To God, Our Only Hope (by Venerable St. Bede)

O God,
the only hope of the world,
the only refuge for unhappy man,
abiding in the faithfulness of Heaven,
give me true help in this difficult battle.

O great King, save Your servant from defeat:
lest weak flesh succumb to the terrible Tyrant,
facing innumerable blows alone.

Remember I am dust and wind and shadow,
and my life is as fleeting as the flowering of the grass:
but may Your mercy,
resplendent from all eternity,
rescue Thy servant from the jaws of the lion.

Thou who didst come from on high in the cloak of flesh,
strike down the Dragon with the two-edged sword,
enabling our mortal flesh to war with winds and beat down strongholds (evil spirits)
with our Captain God.

If battles rage,
if the slimy snake cries out,
if the ferocious enemy incites his own to war,
under your guidance, victory is assured.

Holding fast to you no terrible serpent can upset us.

Liberate me, O Most High,
from infernal traps
so that I may approach the true light, O great King,
and, flourishing in the splendor of your temple,
take part in Heaven’s sacred chorus.