Chapter 4 of 32 · 3947 words · ~20 min read

Part 4

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

6. Come near and bless us when we wake, Ere through the world our way we take; And lead us by Thy hand of love Until we reach our home above.

J. Keble, 1820.

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7

Through the day Thy love hath spared us, Now we lay us down to rest; Through the silent watches guard us, Let no foe our peace molest: Jesus, Thou our Guardian be; Sweet it is to trust in Thee.

2. Pilgrims here on earth and strangers, Dwelling in the midst of foes, Us and ours preserve from dangers; In Thine arms may we repose And, when life’s sad day is past, Rest with Thee in heaven at last.

3. Triune God, let all adore Thee, Saints on earth and saints in heav’n; Every creature bow before Thee, Who hast all their being giv’n, Who dost seek and save the lost: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Thomas Kelly, 1806.

8, 4, 8, 4, 8, 8, 8, 4

God, who madest earth and heaven, Darkness and light, Who the day for toil hast given, For rest the night, May Thine angel guards defend us, Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us, Holy dreams and hopes attend us, This livelong night!

2. Guard us waking, guard us sleeping, And when we die, Let us in Thy mighty keeping All peaceful lie. When the trumpet’s call shall wake us, Do not Thou, blest Lord, forsake us, But to reign in glory take us With Thee on high.

Reginald Heber, 1827; 2d stanza, R. Whately, 1860.

6, 5

Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky.

2. Now the darkness gathers, Stars begin to peep, Birds and beasts and flowers Soon will be asleep.

3. Jesus, give the weary Calm and sweet repose; With Thy tenderest blessing May my eyelids close.

4. Through the long night-watches May Thine angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed.

5. When the morning wakens, Then may I arise Pure and fresh and sinless In Thy holy eyes!

6. Glory to the Father, Glory to the Son, And to Thee, blest Spirit, While all ages run.

Sabine Baring-Gould, 1865, abr.

INVITATION.

C. M. 8 l

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast!” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad.

2. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink and live!” I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.

3. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise And all thy day be bright!” I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that Light of Life I’ll walk Till traveling days are done.

H. Bonar, 1846.

C. M.

The Savior calls; let every ear Attend the heavenly sound, Ye doubting souls, dismiss your fear; Hope smiles reviving round.

2. For every thirsty, longing heart Here streams of bounty flow And life and health and bliss impart To banish mortal woe.

3. Here springs of sacred pleasures rise To ease your every pain; Immortal fountain! full supplies! Nor shall you thirst in vain.

4. Ye sinners, come, ’tis Mercy’s voice; The gracious call obey; Mercy invites to heavenly joys, And can you yet delay?

5. Dear Savior, draw reluctant hearts; To Thee let sinners fly And take the bliss Thy love imparts And drink and never die.

Anne Steele, 1760.

Sinners, turn; why will ye die? God, your Maker, asks you—Why? God, who did your being give, Made you with Himself to live.

2. He the fatal cause demands, Asks the work of His own hands, Why, ye thankless creatures, why Will ye cross His love and die?

3. Sinners, turn; why will ye die? God, your Savior, asks you—Why? He, who did your souls retrieve, Died Himself that you might live.

4. Will ye let Him die in vain, Crucify your Lord again? Why, ye ransomed sinners, why Will ye slight His grace and die?

5. Sinners, turn; why will ye die? God the Spirit asks you—Why? He, who all your lifetime strove, Wooed you to embrace His love.

6. Will ye not His grace receive? Will ye still refuse to live? O ye long-sought sinners, why Will ye grieve your God and die?

Charles Wesley, 1741.

7, 6, 8 l

“Come unto Me, ye weary, And I will give you rest.” O blessed voice of Jesus, Which comes to hearts opprest! It tells of benediction, Of pardon, grace, and peace, Of joy that hath no ending, Of love which cannot cease.

2. “Come unto Me, dear children, And I will give you light.” O loving voice of Jesus, Which comes to cheer the night! Our hearts were filled with sadness, And we had lost our way; But He has brought us gladness And songs at break of day.

3. “Come unto Me, ye weary, And I will give you life,” O cheering voice of Jesus, Which comes to aid our strife! The Foe is stern and eager, The fight is fierce and long; But Thou hast made us mighty And stronger than the strong.

4. “And whosoever cometh, I will not cast him out.” O welcome voice of Jesus, Which drives away our doubt, Which calls us, very sinners, Unworthy though we be Of love so free and boundless, To come, dear Lord, to Thee!

W. C. Dix, 1867.

7, 6, 8 l

To-day Thy mercy calls us To wash away our sin. However great our trespass, Whatever we have been; However long from mercy Our hearts have turned away, Thy precious blood can cleanse us And make us white to-day.

2. To-day Thy gate is open, And all who enter in Shall find a Father’s welcome And pardon for their sin. The past shall be forgotten, A present joy be giv’n, A future grace be promised, A glorious crown in heav’n.

3. To-day our Father calls us, His Holy Spirit waits; His blessed angels gather Around the heavenly gates. No question will be asked us How often we have come; Although we oft have wandered, It is our Father’s home.

4. O all-embracing Mercy, O ever-open Door, What should we do without Thee When heart and eye run o’er? When all things seem against us, To drive us to despair, We know one gate is open, One ear will hear our prayer.

O. Allen, 1862.

L. M.

Behold a Stranger at the door! He gently knocks, has knocked before, Has waited long, is waiting still; You treat no other friend so ill.

2. But will He prove a friend indeed? He will; the very Friend you need; The Friend of sinners—yes, ’tis He, With garments dyed on Calvary.

3. O lovely attitude! He stands With melting heart and laden hands; O matchless kindness! and He shows This matchless kindness to His foes.

4. Admit Him lest His anger burn And He, departing, ne’er return; Admit Him, or the hour’s at hand When at His door denied you’ll stand.

J. Grigg, 1756, a.

S. M.

The Spirit in our hearts Is whispering, “Sinner, come!” The Bride, the Church of Christ, proclaims To all His children, “Come!”

2. Let him that heareth say To all about him, “Come!” Let him that thirsts for righteousness To Christ, the Fountain, come.

3. Yes, whosoever will, O let him freely come And freely drink the stream of life; ’Tis Jesus bids him come.

4. Lo, Jesus, who invites, Declares, “I quickly come.” Lord, even so; I wait Thine hour; Jesus, my Savior, come!

H. U. Onderdonk, 1826.

S. M.

Let every ear attend And every heart rejoice; The trumpet of the Gospel sounds With an inviting voice.

2. Ho! all ye starving souls, That feed upon the wind And vainly strive with earthly toys To fill an empty mind.

3. Here Wisdom has prepared A soul-reviving feast And bids your longing appetites The rich provision taste.

4. Ho! ye that pant for streams And pine away and die, Here you may quench your raging thirst With springs that never dry.

5. Rivers of mercy here In a rich ocean join; Salvation in abundance flows Like floods of milk and wine.

6. The gates of Gospel grace Stand open night and day. Lord, we are come to seek supplies And drive our wants away.

Isaac Watts, 1707.

L. M.

Return, O wanderer, return And seek an injured Father’s face; Those warm desires that in thee burn Were kindled by reclaiming grace.

2. Return, O wanderer, return And seek a Father’s melting heart; His pitying eyes thy grief discern, His hand shall heal thine inward smart.

3. Return, O wanderer, return, Thy Savior bids thy spirit live; Go to His bleeding feet and learn How freely Jesus can forgive.

4. Return, O wanderer, return And wipe away the falling tear; ’Tis God who says, “No longer mourn,” ’Tis Mercy’s voice invites thee near.

W. B. Collyer, 1812.

L. M.

Hasten, O sinner, to be wise And stay not for the morrow’s sun, The longer wisdom you despise, The harder is she to be won.

2. O hasten, mercy to implore And stay not for the morrow’s sun, For fear thy season should be o’er Before this evening’s course be run.

3. Hasten, O sinner, to return And stay not for the morrow’s sun, For fear thy lamp should fail to burn Before the needful work is done.

4. Hasten, O sinner, to be blest And stay not for the morrow’s sun, For fear the curse should thee arrest Before the morrow is begun.

Thomas Scott, 1773.

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare, Jesus loves to answer prayer; He Himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not say thee nay.

2. Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; For His grace and power are such None can ever ask too much.

3. With my burden I begin: Lord, remove this load of sin; Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt, Set my conscience free from guilt.

4. Lord, I come to Thee for rest, Take possession of my breast; There Thy blood-bought right maintain And without a rival reign.

5. While I am a pilgrim here, Let Thy love my spirit cheer; As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend, Lead me to my journey’s end.

6. Show me what I have to do, Every hour my strength renew; Let me live a life of faith, Let me die Thy people’s death.

John Newton, 1779.

11s

Delay not, delay not, O sinner, draw near, The waters of life are now flowing for thee; No price is demanded; the Savior is here; Redemption is purchased, salvation is free.

2. Delay not, delay not, why longer abuse The love and compassion of Jesus, thy God? A fountain is opened; how canst thou refuse To wash and be cleansed in His pardoning blood?

3. Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come, For mercy still lingers and calls thee to-day; Her voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb; Her message, unheeded, will soon pass away.

4. Delay not, delay not, the Spirit of Grace, Long grieved and resisted, may take its sad flight And leave thee in darkness to finish thy race, To sink in the gloom of eternity’s night.

5. Delay not, delay not, the hour is at hand; The earth shall dissolve, and the heavens shall fade; The dead, small and great, in the Judgment shall stand; What power then, O sinner, shall lend thee its aid?

T. Hastings, 1831.

Come, ye weary sinners, come, All who feel your heavy load; Jesus calls His wanderers home; Hasten to your pardoning God.

2. Come, ye guilty souls opprest, Answer to the Savior’s call: “Come, and I will give you rest; Come, and I will save you all.”

3. Jesus, full of truth and love, We Thy gracious call obey; Faithful let Thy mercies prove, Take our load of guilt away.

4. Fain we would on Thee rely, Cast on Thee our sin and care, To Thine arms of mercy fly, Find our lasting quiet there.

5. Lo, we come to Thee for ease: True and gracious as Thou art, How our weary souls release, Write forgiveness on our heart.

Charles Wesley, 1746, a.

PRAISE.

7, 8, 7, 8, 7, 6, 7, 6, 7, 6, 7, 6

My soul, now bless thy Maker! Let all within me bless His name, Who maketh thee partaker Of mercies more than thou dar’st claim! Forget Him not, whose meekness Forgiveth all thy sin; Who healeth all thy weakness, Renews thy life within; Whose grace and care are endless And saved thee through the past; Who leaves no sufferer friendless, But rights the wronged at last.

2. He shows to man His treasure Of judgment, truth, and righteousness, His love beyond all measure, His yearning pity o’er distress; Nor treats us as we merit, But lays His anger by, The humble, contrite spirit Finds His compassion nigh; Far as the heavens above us, As break from close of day, So far, since He doth love us, He casts our sins away.