That we may do Thy will,
No more Thy ways transgressing,
Our proper task fulfil;
With Peter’s full affiance
Let down our nets again;
If Thou art our Reliance,
Our toil will not be vain.
6. With craftiness unceasing
Strives Satan to restrain
What in Thy sight is pleasing
And for Thy Church is gain;
Yet vain is his endeavor,
For Thou, O Christ, our Lord,
Dost rule all things forever
By Thine almighty Word.
7. Thou art the Vine,—O nourish
The branches graft in Thee
And let them grow and flourish,
A fair and fruitful tree.
Thy Spirit pour within us
And let His gifts of grace
To such good actions win us
As best may show Thy praise.
J. Muehlmann, 1610.
22
7, 6
My inmost heart now raises,
In this fair morning hour,
A song of thankful praises
To Thine almighty power.
O God, upon Thy throne!
To honor and adore Thee,
I bring my praise before Thee
Through Christ, Thine only Son.
2. For Thou from me hast warded
All perils of the night;
From every harm hast guarded
My soul till morning’s light.
Humbly to Thee I cry,
O Savior, have compassion
And pardon my transgression;
Have mercy, Lord most high!
3. And shield me from all evil,
O gracious God, this day,
From sin, and from the devil,
From shame and from dismay,
From fire’s consuming breath,
From water’s devastation,
From need and consternation,
From evil sudden death.
4. My life, my soul—defend them!
My wife, child, goods, and home,—
To Thy hand I commend them,
From Thee my blessings come;
Thy bounteous hand bestows
My household and my treasures,
My parents, friends, and pleasures;
My cup with good o’erflows.
5. Let not Thine angel leave me
While here on earth I stay,
Lest Satan’s arts deceive me
And lead my soul astray.
Then keep Thine angel near
At night and each new morrow,
Lest soul and body sorrow
And, faltering, cost me dear.
6. God shall do my advising,
Whose might with wisdom blends;
May He bless rest and rising,
My efforts, means, and ends!
To God, forever blessed,
Will I with mine confide me
And willing let Him guide me
As seemeth to Him best.
7. Amen! I say, not fearing
That God rejects my prayer;
I doubt not He is hearing
And granting me His care.
So I put forth my hands
And look not long behind me,
But ply the task assigned me
By God as He commands.
J. Mathesius, 1592.
23
8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7
God, who madest earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
Who the day and night hast given,
Sun and moon and starry host;
Thou whose mighty hand sustains
Earth and all that it contains;—
2. Praise to Thee my soul shall render,
Who this night hast guarded me;
My omnipotent Defender,
Who from ill dost set me free,
Free from danger, anguish, woe,
Free from the infernal Foe.
3. Let the night of my transgression
With night’s darkness pass away;
Jesus, into Thy possession
I resign myself to-day;
In Thy wounds I find relief
From my greatest sin and grief.
4. Grant that I may rise this morning
From the lethargy of sin,
So my soul, through Thy adorning,
Shall be glorious within
And I at the Judgment Day
Shall not be a castaway.
5. Let my life and conversation
Be directed by Thy Word;
Lord, Thy constant preservation
To Thine erring child afford;
Nowhere but alone in Thee
From all harm can I be free.
6. Wholly to Thy blest protection
I commit my heart and mind.
Mighty God, to Thy direction
Wholly may I be resigned!
Lord, my Shield, my Light divine,
Oh, accept and own me Thine!
7. Lord, to me Thine angel sending,
Keep me from the subtle Foe;
From his craft and might defending,
Never let Thy wand’rer go,
Till my final rest shall come
And Thine angel bear me home.
H. Albert, 1642; J. C. Jacobi and A. T. Russell, tr., a.
24
8, 8
How lovely now the morning star
In twilight sky bright gleams afar
While night her curtain raiseth!
Each creature hails, with ravished sight,
The glories of returning light
And God, its Maker, praiseth.
Both far And near,
All things living Thanks are giving,
There high soaring,
Here through earth’s wide field adoring.
2. Then haste, my soul, thy song to raise
Nor spare in thy Redeemer’s praise
To pour thy due oblation;
For glory, Lord, to Thee belongs,
Thy praise resounds in grateful songs,
With pious emulation,
Joy rings Glad strings;
Voices sounding, Hearts rebounding,
Thus all nature
Sings Thy praise, O great Creator.
3. Unconscious, I securely slept
Nor saw the cruel foes which kept
Close watch about my slumber;
Though evil spirits, through the night,
With fiendish craft and watchful spite,
Came round me without number;
Whose hands In bands,
Mischief brewing For my ruin,
Had enslaved me,
Hadst not Thou stood by and saved me.
4. For, Jesus, Thou with saving power
Wast near me in that threatening hour,
Didst save me from their fury;
And I reposed in quiet sleep
Whilst Thou unwearied watch didst keep;
To Thee all praise and glory!
Lord, all My soul,
Upward springing, Loudly singing,
Shall adore Thee,
While on earth I walk before Thee.
5. This day my Fortress, Lord, abide,
Now ope Thy gates of mercy wide,
Within their shelter place me;
My Castle and my Rock Thou art,
Oh, let no foeman’s treacherous dart
From Thee, my Stronghold, chase me!
Help, Lord, Afford!
Near me tarry Blows to parry,
While around me
Sword and armor sore confound me.
6. Pour down Thy grace in cheering streams
And warm my heart with mercy’s beams
From heaven, Thy throne of beauty;
Let Thy good Spirit guide my will
That I, whate’er my station, still
May seek my joy in duty.
Send light And might
That each measure, Scheme and pleasure,
Heavenward tending,
Still in Thee may find its ending.
7. Keep grief, if this may be, away;
If not, Thy will be done, I say,
My choice to Thine resigning.
O come and like the morning dew
Refresh my heart and make it new,
That I may, unrepining,
Bear cross And loss
Till that morrow Chase all sorrow,
When upraisèd
Where Thy name is ever praisèd.
8. Meanwhile, my heart, both sing and leap,
Mid cross and loss good courage keep,
To heaven’s bright gate you hasten;
Then lay desponding care aside,
God ever thus His own hath tried
And those He loves doth chasten;
Hope still Midst ill,
Calm, though grieving, Firm believing
Tribulation
Is the road to sure salvation.
B. Wiesenmeyer, 1653; F. E. Cox, tr., a.
25
S. M.
We lift our hearts to Thee,
O Day-star from on high!
The sun itself is but Thy shade,
Yet cheers both earth and sky.
2. O let Thy rising beams
The night of sin disperse,
The mists of error and of vice,
Which shade the universe.
3. How beauteous nature now!
How dark and sad before!
With joy we view the pleasing change
And nature’s God adore.
4. O may no gloomy crime
Pollute the rising day;
May Jesus’ blood, like morning dew,
Wash all our stains away.
5. May we this life improve
To mourn for errors past
And live this short, revolving day
As if it were our last.
Charles Wesley, 1741.
26
7s
Now the shades of night are gone,
Now the morning light is come;
Lord, may we be Thine to-day,
Drive the shades of sin away.
2. Fill our souls with heavenly light,
Banish doubt and cleanse our sight;
In Thy service, Lord, to-day,
Help us labor, help us pray.
3. Keep our haughty passions bound,
Save us from our foes around;
Going out and coming in,
Keep us safe from every sin.
4. When our work of life is past,
Oh, receive us then at last!
Night of sin will be no more
When we reach the heavenly shore.
Samson Occom, 1770.
27
C. M.
Lord of my life, O may Thy praise
Employ my noblest powers;
Whose goodness lengthens out my days
And fills the circling hours.
2. Preserved by Thine almighty arm,
I pass the shades of night,
Serene and safe from every harm,
And see returning light.
3. When sleep, death’s semblance, o’er me spread,
And I unconscious lay,
Thy watchful care was round my bed
To guard my feeble clay.
4. O let the same almighty care
My waking hours attend;
From every trespass, every snare,
My heedless steps defend.
5. Smile on my minutes as they roll
And guide my future days;
And let Thy goodness fill my soul
With gratitude and praise.
Anne Steele, 1760.
28
7s 6 l
Every morning mercies new
Fall as fresh as morning dew;
Every morning let us pay
Tribute with the early day;
For Thy mercies, Lord, are sure,
Thy compassion doth endure.
2. Still the greatness of Thy love
Daily doth our sins remove;
Daily, far as east from west,
Lifts the burden from the breast;
Gives unbought to those who pray
Strength to stand in evil day.
3. Let our prayers each morn prevail
That these gifts may never fail;
And as we confess the sin
And the Tempter’s power within,
Feed us with the Bread of Life,
Fit us for our daily strife.
4. As the morning light returns,
As the sun with splendor burns,
Teach us still to turn to Thee,
Ever-blessed Trinity,
With our hands our hearts to raise
In unfailing prayer and praise.
G. Phillimore, 1863.
29
L. M.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
2. All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept.
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless life partake.
3. Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew,
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.
4. Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design or do or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.
5. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him, above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Thomas Ken, 1695.
EVENING.
30
C. M.
Since now the day has reached its close
And sunlight shines no more,
In sleep the toil-worn find repose
And all who wept before.
2. But Thou, my God, no rest dost know,
No slumber dims Thy sight;
Thou hatest darkness as Thy foe,
For Thou Thyself art light.
3. O Lord, I pray, remember me
Throughout the gloom of night
And grant to me most graciously
The shield of Thy great might.
4. Turn from me Satan’s tyranny
Through many an angel arm,
Then shall I be from danger free
And safe from every harm.
5. I know the evil I have done
Doth cry aloud to Thee;
But yet the mercy of Thy Son
Hath full atoned for me.
6. Him I present Thee as my bail
While suppliant at Thy feet;
With such assurance I’ll not fail
Before Thy judgment-seat.
7. And therefore now I close my eyes
And sleep with tranquil breast;
Why waste the time in fears or sighs?
God watches o’er my rest.
8. Away, vain, idle thoughts, depart!
Roam not, my soul, abroad!
For now I build within my heart
A temple to my God.
9. Should this night prove the last for me
In this dark vale of tears,
Then lead me, Lord, in heaven to Thee
And my elect compeers.
10. And thus I live and die to Thee,
Strong Lord of hosts, indeed!
In life and death Thou helpest me
From every fear and need.
J. T. Herzog, before 1670.
31
8, 7
Sink not yet, my soul, to slumber,
Wake, my heart, go forth and tell,
All the mercies without number
That this bygone day befell.
Tell how God hath kept afar
All things that against me war,
Hath upheld me and defended,
And His grace my soul befriended.
2. Father, merciful and holy,
Thee to-night I praise and bless,
Who, to labor true and lowly,
Grantest ever meet success;
Many a sin and many a woe,
Many a fierce and subtle foe,
Hast Thou checked that once alarmed me,
So that naught to-day has harmed me.
3. Yes, our wisdom vainly ponders,
Fathoms not Thy loving thought.
Never tongue can tell the wonders
That Thy hand for me hath wrought;
Thou hast guided me to-day
That no ill hath crossed my way.
There is neither bound nor measure
In Thy love’s o’erflowing treasure.
4. Now the light that nature gladdens,
And the pomp of day, is gone,
And my heart is tired and saddens
As the gloomy night comes on.
Ah, then, with Thy changeless light
Warm and cheer my heart to-night;
As the shadows round me gather,
Keep me close to Thee, my Father!
5. Of Thy grace, I pray Thee, pardon
All my sins and heal their smart;
Sore and heavy is their burden,
Sharp their sting within my heart;
And my Foe lays many a snare
But to tempt me to despair.
Thou alone canst help me, Savior;
Punish not my ill behavior.
6. Though I have from Thee departed,
Now I seek Thy face again,
For Thy Son, the loving-hearted,
Made our peace through bitter pain.
Yes, far greater than our sin,
Though it still be strong within,
Is Thy love that fails us never,
Mercy that endures forever.
7. Brightness of th’ eternal city!
Light of every faithful soul!
Safe beneath Thy sheltering pity
Let the tempest past me roll;
Now it darkens far and near,
Still, my God, still be Thou here;
Thou canst comfort, and Thou only,
When the night is long and lonely.
8. From the power of darkness save me
And from Satan’s hellish snares,
Who endeavors to enslave me
And assails me unawares;
Let me never lose the sight
Of Thy good and gracious light;
Thou canst fill my heart with gladness,
That it feel no pain in sadness.
9. Though my weary eyes are closing
And my senses fall asleep,
Still my soul, on Thee reposing,
Ever must its vigils keep.
Let my spirit longingly
Always dream, my God, of Thee,
Firmly unto Thee e’er cleaving,
Sleeping, yet Thy grace receiving.
10. Lord, the twilight now hath vanished,
Send Thy blessing on my sleep,
Every sin and terror banished,
Let my rest be calm and deep.
Soul and body, mind and health,
Wife and children, house and wealth,
Friend and foe, the sick, the stranger,
Keep Thou safe from harm and danger.
11. O Thou mighty God, now hearken
To the prayer Thy child hath made;
Jesus, while the night-hours darken,
Be Thou still my hope, my aid;
Holy Ghost, on Thee I call,
Friend and Comforter of all,
Hear my earnest prayer, O hear me!
Lord, Thou hearest, Thou art near me.
J. Rist, 1642.
32
L. M.
The happy sunshine now is gone,
The gloomy night comes swiftly on;
But shine Thou still, O Christ, our Light,
Nor let us lose ourselves in night.
2. We thank Thee that throughout the day
Thy angels watched around our way
And free from harm and vexing fear
Have led us on in safety here.
3. Whate’er of wrong we’ve done or said,
Let not the charge on us be laid;
That, through Thy free forgiveness blest,
In peaceful slumber we may rest.
4. Thy guardian angels round us place,
All evil from our couch to chase;
Our soul and body, while we sleep,
In safety, gracious Father, keep.
Nikolaus Herman, 1560.
33
7, 7
Now rest beneath night’s shadows,
Man, beast, town, woods, and meadows,
The world in slumber lies;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake thee,
Let praise to thy Creator rise.
2. O sun, where art thou vanished?
The night thy reign hath banished,
The foe of day, the night.
Farewell! For now appeareth
Another Sun and cheereth
My heart—’tis Jesus Christ, my Light.
3. The last faint beam is going,
The golden stars are glowing
In yonder dark-blue deep;
Such is the glory given
When, called of God to heaven,
On earth no more we pine and weep.
4. To rest my body hasteth,
Aside its garments casteth,
Types of mortality;
These I put off and ponder
How Christ shall give me yonder
A robe of glorious majesty.
5. Head, hands, and feet, reposing,
Are glad the day is closing,
That work came to an end;
Cheer up, my heart, with gladness!
For God from all earth’s sadness
And from sin’s toil relief will send.
6. Ye weary limbs, now rest you,
For toil hath sore oppressed you,
And quiet sleep ye crave;
A sleep shall once o’ertake you
From which no man can wake you,
In your last narrow bed—the grave.
7. My heavy eyes are closing;
When I lie deep reposing,
Soul, body, where are ye?
To helpless sleep I yield them;
O let Thy mercy shield them,
Thou sleepless Eye, their Guardian be!
8. Lord Jesus, who dost love me,
O spread Thy wings above me
And shield me from alarm!
Though Satan would devour me,
Let angel-guards sing o’er me:
“This child of God shall meet no harm!”
9. My loved ones, rest securely,
From every peril surely
Our God will guard your heads.
May He sweet slumbers send you
And bid His hosts attend you,
And golden-armed, watch o’er your beds!
Paul Gerhardt, 1653.
34
L. M.
Christ, everlasting Source of light,
All things are open to Thy sight;
Thou Splendor of Thy Father’s face,
Show us the path of truth and grace.
2. We now implore Thy sovereign might
To keep us, Lord, the coming night;
Preserve us, Lord, from all distress;
O God, Thy mercy we address.
3. Remove our sinful drowsiness;
Let Satan not our soul oppress;
Our feeble flesh keep chaste and pure
And let us rest in Thee secure.
4. And when our eyes are bound in sleep,
The lamp of faith still burning keep;
Thy hand sustain us while we rest;
Remove our sin, and we are blest.
5. Great Guardian of Thy Christian flock,
Thy presence be our saving rock;
Thine agony and holy blood
Be always our support, O God!
6. Remember, Lord, the woes and pains
Which here our body hold in chains;
Our soul, which Thou hast ransomed, Lord,
O comfort with Thy holy Word.
7. To God the Father and the Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Be glory, praise, and majesty
Now, ever, and eternally.
From Ambrose’s _Christe, qui lux es et dies_: W. Meusslin, 1527.
35
L. M.
Before Thy throne I now appear,
O Lord, bow down Thy gracious ear
To me and cast not from Thy face
Thy sinful child, that sues for grace.
2. Thou, Father of eternity,
Thine image hast impressed on me;
In Thee I am and live and move,
Nor can exist without Thy love.
3. Oft hast Thou snatched me from distress
And raised me oft when comfortless,
When but a step, nay, one hair’s breadth,
Was ’twixt my tottering life and death.
4. My sense and reason come from Thee,
And sustenance Thou givest me;
A faithful friend Thou dost bestow
To prove his love in weal and woe.
5. Thou hast redeemed me, Son of God,
Hast shed for me Thy precious blood,
The Law for my sake hast fulfilled,
And thus Thy Father’s wrath hast stilled.
6. When sin and Satan witness bear
Against me that I must despair,
As Mediator step Thou in
And save me from the curse of sin.
7. Thou art my Advocate for aye,
My Savior, Comfort, and my Stay.
Thine all-sufficient merit is
On earth my peace, in heaven my bliss.
8. God Holy Spirit, Power Divine,
Thou workest in this heart of mine;
Naught can be counted good in me
But what proceeds alone from Thee.
9. Through Thee I now my God adore
And call Him Father evermore;
Through Thee His Word and Sacrament
I love and hold till life is spent.
10. Through Thee I’m in temptation free
From fear and sad despondency;
Through Thee I’m quickened oft to taste
The sweets of Thine eternal rest.
11. And so I now give thanks to Thee
With heart and tongue most joyfully
For all Thy mercies, Lord, my God,
Which on my soul Thou hast bestowed.
12. Beseeching Thine almighty grace
To aid me, till I’ve run my race,
Soul, body, honor, house, and friend
To Thy protection I commend.
13. Give me a heart that is sincere,
To love Thy truth, and persevere
In faith and Christian piety
And shun all base hypocrisy.
14. My sins and trespasses forgive;
Have patience with me while I live;
O give me faith and charity
And let my hope rest but in Thee.
15. Grant that in peace I close mine eyes,
But on the Last Day bid me rise
And let me see Thy face fore’er—
Amen, Amen, Lord, hear my prayer!
B. von Hodenberg. 1640; J. Gesenius, a. 1650.
36
L. M.
Glory to Thee, my God, this night
For all the blessings of the light!
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings!
2. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done,
That with the world, myself, and Thee
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
3. Teach me to live that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
Teach me to die that so I may
With joy behold the Judgment Day.
4. Oh, may my soul on Thee repose,
And may sweet sleep my eyelids close!
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.
Thomas Ken, 1695, abr.
37
8, 7
Savior, breathe an evening blessing
Ere repose our spirits seal;
Sin and want we come confessing;
Thou canst save, and Thou canst heal.
2. Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrows past us fly,
Angel-guards from Thee surround us;
We are safe if Thou art nigh.
3. Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be.
4. Should swift death this night o’ertake us
And our couch become our tomb,
May the morn in heav’n awake us,
Clad in light and deathless bloom.
James Edmeston, 1820.
38
11, 11, 11, 5
Now God be with us, for the night is closing;
The light and darkness are of His disposing,
And ’neath His shadow here to rest we yield us,
For He will shield us.
2. Let evil thoughts and spirits flee before us;
Till morning cometh, watch, O Master, o’er us;
In soul and body Thou from harm defend us,
Thine angels send us.
3. Let pious thoughts be ours when sleep o’ertakes us,
Our earliest thoughts be Thine when morning wakes us;
All day serve Thee, in all that we are doing
Thy praise pursuing.
4. Through Thy Beloved soothe the sick and weeping
And bid the captive lose his griefs in sleeping;
Widows and orphans, we to Thee commend them,
Do Thou befriend them.
5. We have no refuge, none on earth to aid us,
Save Thee, O Father, who Thine own hast made us:
But Thy dear presence will not leave them lonely
Who seek Thee only.
6. Father, Thy name be praised, Thy kingdom given;
Thy will be done on earth as ’tis in heaven;
Give daily bread, forgive our sins, deliver
Us now and ever.
Bohemian Brethren, 1566; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
39
L. M.
Thus far the Lord has led me on,
Thus far His power prolongs my days;
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of His grace.
2. Much of my time has run to waste,
And I, perhaps, am near my home;
But He forgives my follies past
And gives me strength for days to come.
3. I lay my body down to sleep;
Peace is the pillow for my head;
His ever-watchful eye will keep
Its constant guard around my bed.
4. Faith in Thy name forbids my fear;
Oh, may Thy presence ne’er depart!
And in the morning may I bear
Thy loving-kindness on my heart!
Isaac Watts, 1709, a. and abr.
40
10s
Abide with me! fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!
3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free,
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
4. Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea;
O Friend of sinners, thus abide with me!
5. Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee:
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me!
6. I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!
7. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
8. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
H. F. Lyte, 1847.
41
S. M.
The day is past and gone,
The evening shades appear;
O may I ever keep in mind
The night of death draws near.
2. Lord, keep me safe this night,
Secure from all my fears;
May angels guard me while I sleep,
Till morning light appears.
3. And when I early rise
And view th’ unwearied sun,
May I set out to win the prize
And after glory run,
4. That, when my days are past
And I from time remove,
Lord, I may in Thy bosom rest,
The bosom of Thy love.
J. Leland, 1792.
42
L. M.
Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear,
It is not night if Thou be near;
Oh, may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes!
2. When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought how sweet to rest
Forever on my Savior’s breast.
3. Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without Thee I cannot live;
Abide with me when night is nigh,
For without Thee I dare not die.
4. If some poor wandering child of Thine
Has spurned to-day the voice divine,
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin;
Let him no more lie down in sin.
5. Watch by the sick, enrich the poor
With blessings from Thy boundless store;
Be every mourner’s sleep to-night,
Like infant’s slumbers, pure and light.