SINK not yet, my soul, to slumber,
Wake, my heart, go forth and tell,
All the mercies without number
That this by-gone 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 today 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 today,
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 tempests 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,
E'en in sleep 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.
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.
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!
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;
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