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!
P. Gerhardt. C. Winkworth, Tr.
ince now the day has reached its close,
And sunlight shines no moře,
In sleep the toil-worn find repose,
And all who wept before.
2 But Thou, my God, no rest doth know,
No slumber dims Thy sight;
Thou hatest darkness as Thy foe,
Tor Thou Thyself art light.
3 O Lord, I pray, remember me
Throughout the shades 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.
HOU who art Three in Unity,
True God from all eternity,
The sun is fading from our sight,
J. F. Herzog. Tr. Composite.
Shine Thou on us with heav'nly light.
2 We praise Thee with the dawning day,
To Thee at eve we also pray;
With our poor song we worship Thee
Now, ever and eternally.
3 Let God the Father be adored,
And God the Son, the only Lord,
And God the Holy Spirit be
Adored throughout eternity!
M. Luther. R. Massie, Tr.
SUN of my soul, Thou Savior dear,
It is not night if Thou be near;
Oh, may no earthborn child 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 Be near to bless me when I wake,
Ere through the world my way I take,
Till in the ocean of Thy love
I lose myself in heaven above.
DEAR Father in heaven,
Look down from above; Bless papa, and mama,
And those whom I love.
2 May angels guard over
My slumbers, and, when
The morning is breaking,
Awake me. Amen.
LORD, keep us safe this night,
Secure from all our fears;
May angels guard us while we sleep,
Till morning light appears.
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