Lord! I my vows to thee renew:
Scatter my sins as morning dew;
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with thyself my spirit fill.
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.
GLORY to thee, my God! this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, oh keep me, King of kings!
Beneath thine own almighty wings!
Forgive me, Lord! through thy dear Son,
The ills that I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may
The grave as little as my bed;
Teach me to die, that so I may
Triumphant rise at the last day.
Oh may my soul on thee repose,
And may sweet sleep my eyelids close!
Sleep that shall me more active make
To serve my God when I awake.
IN sleep's serene oblivion laid,
I safely pass'd the silent night;
Again I see the breaking shade,
Again I view the morning light.
New-born, I bless the waking hour ;
Once more, with awe, rejoice to be;
My conscious soul resumes her powers,
And springs, my guardian God, to thee.
Oh guide me through the various maze,
My doubtful feet are doom'd to tread !
And spread thy shield's protecting blaze,
Where dangers press around my head.
A deeper shade shall soon impend;
A deeper sleep mine eyes oppress :
Yet then thy strength shall still defend,
Thy goodness still delight to bless.
That deeper shade shall break away;
That deeper sleep shall leave mine eyes;
Thy light shall give eternal day;
Thy love, the rapture of the skies.
THUS far the Lord hath led me on ;
Thus far his power prolongs my days;
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of his grace.
Much of my time hath run to waste,
And I perhaps am near my home;
But he forgives my follies past,
And gives me strength for days to come.
I lay my body down to sleep;
Peace is the pillow of my head;
Thy watchful eye, O Lord, will keep
Its constant guard around my bed.
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!
WHERE'ER I am, whate'er I see,
Eternal Lord! is full of thee:
I feel thee in the gloom of night,
I view thee in the morning light.
When care distracts my anxious soul, Thy grace can every thought control; Thy word can still the troubled heart, And peace and confidence impart.
If pain invade my broken rest,
Or if corroding griefs molest,
Soon as thy comfort, Lord, appears,
My sighs are hush'd and dried my tears.
Thy wisdom guides, thy will directs, Thine arm upholds, thy power protects; With thee, when I at dawn converse, The shadows sink, the clouds disperse.
Then, as the sun illumes the skies,
O Sun of Righteousness, arise!
Dispel the gloom of mental night,
Being of beings! Light of light!
To thee let my first offerings rise,
Whose sun creates my day;
Swift as his gladdening influence flies, And spotless as his ray.
This day thy favouring hand be nigh,
So oft vouchsaf'd before :
Still may it lead, protect, supply,
And I that hand adore!
If bliss thy providence impart,
For which resign'd I pray,
Give me to feel the grateful heart,
And cheerful pass the day.
Affliction should thy love intend,
As sin's or folly's cure;
Patient, to gain that blessed end,
May I the means endure !
Be this, and every future day,
Still wiser than the past;
That, from the whole of life's survey,
I may find peace at last.
LORD! thou wilt hear me when I pray;
I am for ever thine :
I fear before thee all the day,
Nor would I dare to sin.
And while I rest my weary head
From cares and business free,
'Tis sweet conversing on my bed
With my own heart and thee.
I pay this evening sacrifice;
And when my work is done,
Great God! my faith, my hope relies
Upon thy grace alone.
Thus, with my thoughts compos'd to peace,
I'll give mine eyes to sleep;
Thy hand in safety keeps my days,
And will my slumbers keep.
The Daily Goodness of God.
My God, how endless is thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new;
And morning mercies from above
Gently distil, like early dew.
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.
I yield my powers to thy command:
To thee I consecrate my days:
Perpetual blessings from thy hand
Demand perpetual songs of praise.
INTERVAL of grateful shade,
Welcome to my weary head!
Welcome slumbers to mine eyes,
Tir'd with glaring vanities!
My great Master still allows
Needful periods of repose:
By my heavenly Father blest,
Thus I give my powers to rest.
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