4 In death's dark valley though I stray, "T would there my steps attend, Guide with the staff my lonely way, And with the rod defend.
5 May that sure hand uphold me still
Through life's uncertain race,
To bring me to thy holy hill,
And to thy dwelling-place.
1 As every day thy mercy spares
Will bring its trials or its cares,
O Father! till my life shall end,
Be thou my counsellor and friend;
Teach me thy statutes all divine,
And let thy will be always mine.
2 When each day's scenes and labors close,
And wearied nature seeks repose,
With pardoning mercy richly blest,
Guard me, my Father, while I rest:
And as each morning sun shall rise,
O lead me onward to the skies!
3 And at my life's last setting sun,
My conflicts o'er, my labors done,
Father, 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.
Morning or Evening. . . . All from God.
1 FATHER! thy paternal care
Has my guardian been, my guide!
Every hallowed wish and prayer
Has thy hand of love supplied;.
Thine is every thought of bliss,
Left by hours and days gone by;
Every hope thy offspring is,
Beaming from futurity.
2 Every sun of splendid ray;
Every moon that shines serene;
Every morn that welcomes day;
Every evening's twilight scene;
Every hour which wisdom brings;
Every incense at thy shrine;
These, and all life's holiest things,
3 And for all my hymns shall rise
Daily to thy gracious throne:
Thither let my asking eyes
Turn unwearied, righteous One!
Through life's strange vicissitude
There reposing all my care,
Trusting still, through ill and good,
Fixed and cheered and counselled there.
Morning or Evening.
1 THEY who on the Lord rely
Safely dwell though danger 's nigh;
Lo! his sheltering wings are spread
O'er each faithful servant's head.
2 Vain Temptation's wily snare,
Christians are Jehovah's care:
Harmless flies the shaft by day,
Or in darkness wings its way.
3 When they wake, or when they sleep,
Angel guards their vigils keep;
Death and danger may be near,
Faith and Love have nought to fear.
Morning or Evening.
1 My God, how endless is thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new ;
And morning mercies, from above,
Gently distil like early dew.
2 Thou spread'st the curtains of the night,
Great Guardian of my sleeping hours;
Thy sovereign word restores the light,
And quickens all my drowsy powers.
3 I yield my powers to thy command;
To thee I consecrate my days;
Perpetual blessings from thy hand
Demand perpetual songs of praise.
1 ABIDE with me! Fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpers, 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 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?
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me!
1 INDULGENT GOD, whose bounteous care
O'er all thy works is shown,
O let my grateful praise and prayer
Ascend before thy throne!
2 What mercies has this day bestowed!
How largely hast thou blest!
My cup with plenty overflowed,
With cheerfulness my breast.
3 Now may sweet slumbers close my eyes,
From pain and sickness free;
And let my waking thoughts arise
To meditate on thee.
1 GLORY to thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Under thine own almighty wings!
2 Forgive me, Lord, through 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;
To die, that this poor body may
Rise glorious at the awful day.
4 O, may my soul on thee repose,
And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
Sleep that may me more vigorous make,
To serve my God when I awake.
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