John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811‑1875) who wrote these words was born in Northern Ireland. After being educated in Dublin, John entered the established church. Later he moved to Britain serving as a Rector in Egham and later in Guildford where he died.

He was a prolific hymn and poem writer and one of the few that remains popular now is "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

In "Fight the good Fight" the following verses are thought to have been in the writer’s mind when penning this popular hymn:

1 Tim.6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Tim.4:6‑8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love his appearing.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1 Corinthians 9:24‑26 (Darby) They who run in [the] race‑course run all, but one receives the prize? Thus run in order that ye may obtain. But every one that contends [for a prize] is temperate in all things: they then indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore thus run, as not uncertainly; so I combat, as not beating the air.

Phil.3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."

1 Corinthians 15:57‑58 (NKJV) Thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:1‑7 Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Ephesians 6:10‑11 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Heb.12:1‑2 (NKJV) Therefore...since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

 Matthew 24:13 He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The commonly used tune Pentecost was composed by William Boyd. (1847‑1928)