Chapter 3 of 32 · 3987 words · ~20 min read

Part 3

Savior, all my sins confessing, Gracious hear me when I cry; Give through faith the promised blessing, Freely, fully _justify_.

2. By Thy Holy Spirit’s leading, Bring me to Thy bosom nigh; In Thy blessed footsteps treading, Soul and body _sanctify_.

3. So, the days of conflict ended, In the mansions of the sky, Whither, Lord, Thou art ascended, With Thyself me _glorify_.

Thomas Haweis, 1808, a.

Now may He who from the dead Brought the Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ, our king and Head, All our souls in safety keep.

2. May He teach us to fulfil What is pleasing in His sight; Perfect us in all His will And preserve us day and night.

3. To that dear Redeemer’s praise, Who the covenant sealed with blood, Let our hearts and voices raise Loud thanksgivings to our God.

John Newton, 1779.

10s

Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise With one accord our parting hymn of praise; Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease; Then, lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.

2. Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way; With Thee began, with Thee shall end the day; Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame, That in this house have called upon Thy name.

3. Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night, Turn Thou for us its darkness into light; From harm and danger keep Thy children free, For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

4. Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life, Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife; Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease, Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

J. Ellerton, 1866.

8, 7, 6 l

Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing, Fill our hearts with joy and peace. Let us each, Thy love possessing, Triumph in redeeming grace. |: O refresh us, :| Trav’ling through this wilderness.

2. Thanks we give and adoration For Thy Gospel’s joyful sound. May the fruits of Thy salvation In our hearts and lives abound: |: May Thy presence :| With us evermore be found.

3. So, whene’er the signal’s given Us from earth to call away, Borne on angels’ wings to heaven, Glad the summons to obey, |: May we, ready, :| Rise and reign in endless day.

J. Fawcett, 1773.

8, 6, 8, 6, 8, 8

Lord of my life, whose tender care Hath led me on till now, Here lowly, at the hour of prayer, Before Thy throne I bow. I bless Thy gracious hand and pray Forgiveness for another day.

2. O may I daily, hourly, strive In heavenly grace to grow; To Thee and to Thy glory live, Dead else to all below; Tread in the path my Savior trod, Though thorny, yet the path to God!

3. With prayer my humble praise I bring For mercies day by day. Lord, teach my heart Thy love to sing; Lord, teach me how to pray! All that I have, I am, to Thee I offer through eternity.

“Ω Chelsea,” 1838.

MORNING.

L. M. 6 l

When streaming from the eastern skies, The morning light salutes my eyes, O Sun of righteousness divine, On me with beams of mercy shine, Chase the dark clouds of sin away, And turn my darkness into day.

2. When to heaven’s great and glorious King My morning sacrifice I bring, And, grieving o’er my guilt and shame, Ask mercy, Savior, in Thy name, My conscience sprinkle with Thy blood And be my advocate with God.

3. When each day’s scenes and labors close, And wearied nature seeks repose, With pardoning mercy, richly blest, Guard me, my Savior, while I rest; And as each morning’s sun shall rise, O lead me onward to the skies.

4. And at my life’s last setting sun, My conflict o’er, my labors done, Jesus, Thy heavenly radiance shed, To cheer and bless my dying bed; And from death’s gloom my spirit raise To see Thy face and sing Thy praise.

Wm. Shrubsole, 1813, a.

L. M.

O holy, blessed Trinity, Divine, essential Unity, God Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Be Thou this day my Guide and Host.

2. My soul and body keep from harm, O’er all I have extend Thine arm, That Satan may not cause distress, Nor bring me shame and wretchedness.

3. The Father’s love shield me this day, The Son’s pure wisdom cheer my way, The Holy Spirit’s light divine Illume my heart’s benighted shrine.

4. My Maker, strengthen Thou my heart, O my Redeemer, help impart, Blest Comforter, keep at my side That faith and love in me abide.

5. Lord, bless and keep Thou me as Thine! Lord, make Thy face upon me shine! Lord, lift Thy countenance on me And give me peace, sweet peace, from Thee.

Martin Behm, 1608; C. H. L. Schuette, tr., a.

7, 6

While yet the morn is breaking, I thank my God once more, Beneath whose care awaking, I find the night is o’er; I thank Him that He calls me To life and health anew; I know whate’er befalls me, His care will still be true.

2. O Israel’s Guardian, hear me, Watch over me this day; In all I do be near me. For others, too, I pray; To Thee I would commend them, Our Church, our school, our land, Direct them and defend them, When dangers are at hand.

3. O gracious Lord, direct us, Thy doctrine pure defend, From heresies protect us, And for Thy Word contend, That we may praise Thee ever, O God, with one accord, And say: The Lord, our Savior, Be evermore adored!

4. O grant us peace and gladness, Give us our daily bread, Shield us from grief and sadness, On us Thy blessings shed. Grant that our whole behavior, In truth and righteousness, May praise Thee, Lord, our Savior, Whose holy name we bless.

5. And gently grant Thy blessing 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

L. M.