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 thine holy hill,
And to thy dwelling-place.
Morning or Evening.
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, thine 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,
And its fairest, — all are thine.
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 thine hand
Demand perpetual songs of praise.
1 INTERVAL of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head!
Welcome, slumbers to mine eyes,
Tired with glaring vanities!
2 My great Master still allows
Needful periods of repose:
By my heavenly Father blest,
Thus I give my powers to rest.
3 Heavenly Father, gracious name!
Night and day his love the same!
Far be each suspicious thought,
Every anxious care forgot!
4 Thou, my ever-bounteous God,
Crown'st my days with various good;
Thy kind eye, which cannot sleep,
My defenceless hours shall keep.
5 What if death my sleep invade?
Should I be of death afraid?
While encircled by thine arm,
Death may strike, but cannot harm.
6 With thy heavenly presence blest,
Death is life, and labor rest:
Welcome, sleep or death to 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.
4 So bless each future day and night,
Till life's fond scene is o'er;
At length, to realms of endless light
Enraptured let me soar.
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