At the time the hymn was written, the Dutch were engaged in a war of national liberation against the Catholic King Philip II of Spain.

The hymn first appeared in print in a 1626 collection of Dutch folk and patriotic songs, Neder-landtsche Gedenck-Clanck by Adriaen Valerius.

[2] The hymn steadily gained popularity, especially in services of Thanksgiving on such occasions as town and college centennial celebrations.

According to Carl Daw, executive director of the Hymn Society, the "big break" came in 1935 when it was included in the national hymnal of the Methodist-Episcopal Church.

[1] According to Michael Hawn, professor of sacred music at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology, "by World War I, we started to see ourselves in this hymn," and the popularity increased during World War II, when "the wicked oppressing" were understood to include Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

)[3] The hymn is also usually sung by the Quartermaine family on the American soap opera General Hospital's annual Thanksgiving episode.

Wilt heden Nu treden Voor God den Heere; Hem boven Al loven,, Van herten seer,, End’ maken groot syns lieven naemens eere, Die daer nu onsen vyand slaet ter neer.

U vroomheyt brengt de vyand tot verstoring, Alwaer syn ryck noch eens soo sterck bewalt.

Verse: 2 Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We gather to worship Jehovah, the righteous, Who verily sitteth in Judgment severe; The good by the evil shall not overpowered, The Lord will prevent it, our prayer He will hear.

Amid the great conflict He ever stood by us, [... complete 3 stanza] (There are also mixed versions with Baker) As Sung in the Congregational Church in Connecticut in the 1950s: Verse 3 We all do extol thee our leader in Battle And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.