[Verse 1] Gather the troops, O daughter surrounded, The judge of Israel is struck and confounded. Yet from a small town overlooked by the strong, A ruler comes forth whose beginnings are long. [Pre-Chorus] Not from the palace, not from the throne, Out of Bethlehem, little and known. [Chorus] Out of Bethlehem shall the Shepherd arise, Standing in strength beneath heaven's eyes. He feeds in the name of the LORD, and his peace Reaches the borders where war must cease. Out of Bethlehem, humble and small, The ancient purpose will answer the call. [Verse 2] The travail continues until she has borne, Then brethren return like the light after storm. They dwell in security, no longer displaced, For greatness extends to the ends of the earth. [Refrain] When Assyria enters and treads in the land, Seven shepherds rise, eight princes withstand. The sword reaches Nimrod, deliverance comes, The Shepherd redeems from the invader's drums. [Bridge] The remnant of Jacob falls gentle as dew, A blessing no human permission can do. The remnant among nations is fierce as a lion, No hand can deliver the prey from its power. [Verse 3] Horses are cut off, chariots undone, Strongholds collapse where false safety had run. Sorcery, images, pillars, and groves, All trusts that compete with the Holy One go. [Chorus - final] Out of Bethlehem shall the Shepherd arise, Standing in strength beneath heaven's eyes. He feeds in the name of the LORD, and his peace Reaches the borders where war must cease. Out of Bethlehem, humble and small, The Ruler stands firm, and the scattered stand tall. [Outro] A small place held the promise, A Shepherd held the field.