Worship, Times of

Verse 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 helpless, O abide with me.

Verse 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.

Verse 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?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

Verse 4

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.

Verse 5

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.

Verse 1

Again, as evening’s shadow falls,
We gather in these hallowed walls;
And vesper hymn and vesper prayer
Rise mingling on the holy air.

Verse 2

May struggling hearts that seek release
Here find the rest of God’s own peace;
And, strengthened here by hymn and prayer,
Lay down the burden and the care.

Verse 3

O God, our Light, to Thee we bow;
Within all shadows standest Thou;
Give deeper calm than night can bring,
Give sweeter songs than lips can sing.

Verse 4

Life’s tumult we must meet again;
We cannot at the shrine remain;
But in the spirit’s secret cell
May hymn and prayer for ever dwell.

Verse 1

All praise to Him who dwells in bliss,
Who made both day and night;
Whose throne is darkness, in th’ abyss
Of uncreated light.

Verse 2

Each thought and deed His piercing eyes
With strictest search survey;
The deepest shades no more disguise
Than the full blaze of day.

Verse 3

Whom Thou dost guard, O King of kings,
No evil shall molest:
Under the shadow of Thy wings
Shall they securely rest.

Verse 4

Thy angels shall around their beds
Their constant stations keep:
Thy faith and truth shall shield their heads,
For Thou dost never sleep.

Verse 5

May we, with calm and sweet repose,
Our heavenly thoughts refreshed,
Our eyelids with the morn’s unclose,
And bless the Ever-bless’d.

Verse 1

All praise to Thee, my God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thy own almighty wings.

Verse 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.

Verse 3

Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
To die, that this vile body may
Rise glorious at the awful day.

Verse 4

O may my soul on Thee repose,
And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
Sleep that may me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I awake.

Verse 5

When in the night I sleepless lie,
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.

Verse 6

O when shall I, in endless day,
For ever chase dark sleep away,
And hymns with the supernal choir
Incessant sing, and never tire!

Verse 1

Almighty God, Thy word is cast
Like seed upon the ground;
O may it grow in humble hearts,
And righteous fruits abound.

Verse 2

Let not the foe of Christ and man
This holy seed remove,
But give it root in praying souls
To bring forth fruits of love.

Verse 3

Let not the world’s deceitful cares
The rising plant destroy,
But may it, in converted minds,
Produce the fruits of joy.

Verse 4

Let not Thy Word, so kindly sent
To raise us to Thy throne,
Return to Thee, and sadly tell
That we reject Thy Son.

Verse 1

And now the wants are told
That brought Thy children to Thy knee;
Here lingering still, we ask for nought,
But simply worship Thee.

Verse 2

The hope of heaven’s eternal days
Absorbs not all the heart
That gives Thee glory, love, and praise,
For being what Thou art.

Verse 3

For Thou art God, the One, the same,
O’er all things high and bright;
And round us, when we speak Thy Name,
There spreads a heaven of light.

Verse 4

O wondrous peace, in thought to dwell
On excellence Divine;
To know that nought in man can tell
How fair Thy beauties shine.

Verse 5

O Thou, above all blessing blest,
O’er thanks exalted far,
Thy very greatness is a rest
To weaklings as we are;

Verse 6

For when we feel the praise of Thee
A task beyond our powers,
We say, “A perfect God is He,
And He is fully ours.”

Verse 1

Another six days’ work is done,
Another Sabbath is begun;
Return, my soul, enjoy thy rest,
Improve the day thy God hath blest.

Verse 2

Come, bless the Lord, whose love assigns
So sweet a rest to wearied minds,
Provides an antepast of heaven,
And gives this day the food of seven.

Verse 3

O that our thoughts and thanks may rise,
As grateful incense, to the skies;
And draw from heaven that sweet repose
Which none but he that feels it knows.

Verse 4

This heavenly calm within the breast
Is the dear pledge of glorious rest
Which for the Church of God remains,
The end of cares, the end of pains.

Verse 5

In holy duties let the day,
In holy pleasures, pass away:
How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend,
In hope of one that ne’er shall end.

Verse 1

As now the sun’s declining rays
Towards the eve descend,
E’en so our years are sinking down
To their appointed end.

Verse 2

Lord, on the cross Thine arms were stretched
To draw us to the sky;
O grant us then that cross to love,
And in those arms to die.

Verse 3

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Holy Ghost,
All glory be from saints on earth,
And from the angel host.

Verse 1

As the sun doth daily rise,
Brightening all the morning skies,
So to Thee with one accord
Lift we up our hearts, O Lord!

Verse 2

Day by day provide us food,
For from Thee come all things good:
Strength unto our souls afford
From Thy living Bread, O Lord!

Verse 3

Be our Guard in sin and strife;
Be the Leader of our life;
Lest like sheep we stray abroad,
Stay our wayward feet, O Lord!

Verse 4

Quickened by the Spirit’s grace
All Thy holy will to trace,
While we daily search Thy word,
Wisdom true impart, O Lord!

Verse 5

When the sun withdraws his light,
When we seek our beds at night,
Thou, by sleepless hosts adored,
Hear the prayer of faith, O Lord!

Verse 6

Praise we, with the heavenly host,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost;
Thee would we with one accord
Praise and magnify, O Lord!

Verse 1

At even, ere the sun was set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
O in what divers pains they met!
O with what joy they went away!

Verse 2

Once more ’tis eventide, and we,
Oppressed with various ills, draw near:
What if Thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that Thou art here.

Verse 3

O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel:
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had;

Verse 4

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.

Verse 5

O Saviour Christ, Thou too art Man,
Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide;

Verse 6

Thy touch has still its ancient power;
No word from Thee can fruitless fall:
Hear in this solemn evening hour,
And in Thy mercy heal us all.

Verse 1

At even, ere the sun was set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
O in what divers pains they met!
O with what joy they went away!

Verse 2

Once more ’tis eventide, and we,
Oppressed with various ills, draw near:
What if Thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that Thou art here.

Verse 3

O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel:
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had;

Verse 4

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.

Verse 5

O Saviour Christ, Thou too art Man,
Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide;

Verse 6

Thy touch has still its ancient power;
No word from Thee can fruitless fall:
Hear in this solemn evening hour,
And in Thy mercy heal us all.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 2

Thy precious time misspent redeem;
Each present day thy last esteem;
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

Verse 3

By influence of the light Divine
Let thy own light to others shine;
Reflect all heaven’s propitious rays
In ardent love and cheerful praise.

Verse 4

Wake and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long, unwearied, sing
High praise to the Eternal King.

Verse 5

All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept,
And hast refreshed me whilst I slept:
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless light partake.

Verse 6

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.

Verse 7

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.

Verse 1

Christ is our Corner-stone,
On Him alone we build;
With His true saints alone
The courts of heaven are filled:
On His great love our hopes we place
Of present grace and joys above.

Verse 2

O then with hymns of praise
These hallowed courts shall ring;
Our voices we will raise
The Three in One to sing;
And thus proclaim in joyful song,
Both loud and long, that glorious Name.

Verse 3

Here, gracious God, do Thou
For evermore draw nigh;
Accept each faithful vow,
And mark each suppliant sigh;
In copious shower on all who pray,
Each holy day, Thy blessings pour.

Verse 4

Here may we gain from heaven
The grace which we implore;
And may that grace, once given,
Be with us evermore,
Until that day when all the blest
To endless rest are called away.

Verse 1

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Day-spring from on high, be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.

Verse 2

Dark and cheerless is the morn,
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see;
Till they inward light impart,
Glad my eyes and warm my heart.

Verse 3

Visit, then, this soul of mine;
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy Divine;
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.

Verse 1

Come, Holy Spirit, calm my mind,
And fit me to approach my God;
Remove each vain, each worldly thought,
And lead me to Thy blest abode.

Verse 2

Hast Thou imparted to my soul
A living spark of heavenly fire?
O kindle now the sacred flame;
Teach it to burn with pure desire.

Verse 3

Impress upon my wandering mind
The love that Christ for sinners bore;
And give a new, a contrite heart,
A heart the Saviour to adore.

Verse 4

A brighter faith and hope impart,
And let me now the Saviour see:
O soothe and cheer my burdened heart,
And bid my spirit rest in Thee.

Verse 1

Come, my soul, thou must be waking;
Now is breaking
O’er the earth another day:
Come to Him who made this splendor;
See thou render
All thy feeble powers can pay.

Verse 2

Pray that He may prosper ever
Each endeavor,
When thine aim is good and true;
But that He may ever thwart thee,
And convert thee,
When thou evil wouldst pursue.

Verse 3

Think that He thy ways beholdeth;
He unfoldeth
Every fault that lurks within;
Every stain of shame glossed over
Can discover,
And discern each deed of sin.

Verse 4

Mayest thou on life’s last morrow,
Free from sorrow,
Pass away in slumber sweet;
And, released from death’s dark sadness,
Rise in gladness,
That far brighter Sun to greet.

Verse 5

Only God’s free gifts abuse not,
Light refuse not,
But His Spirit’s voice obey;
Thou with Him shalt dwell, beholding
Light enfolding
All things in unclouded day.

Verse 1

Come, Thou Almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing,
Help us to praise:
Father, all-glorious,
O’er all victorious,
Come, and reign over us,
Ancient of days.

Verse 2

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend:
Come, and Thy people bless,
And give Thy word success;
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.

Verse 3

Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart,
And ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

Verse 4

To the great One in Three
Eternal praises be
Hence evermore.
His sovereign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.

Verse 1

Come, Thou Almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing,
Help us to praise:
Father, all-glorious,
O’er all victorious,
Come, and reign over us,
Ancient of days.

Verse 2

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend:
Come, and Thy people bless,
And give Thy word success;
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.

Verse 3

Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart,
And ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

Verse 4

To the great One in Three
Eternal praises be
Hence evermore.
His sovereign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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,
Every morning, for the strife,
Feed us with the Bread of Life.

Verse 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.

Verse 1

Father, again in Jesus’ Name we meet,
And bow in penitence beneath Thy feet:
Again to Thee our feeble voices raise,
To sue for mercy, and to sing Thy praise.

Verse 2

O we would bless Thee for Thy ceaseless care,
And all Thy work from day to day declare:
Is not our life with hourly mercies crowned?
Does not Thine arm encircle us around?

Verse 3

Alas, unworthy of Thy boundless love,
Too oft with careless feet from Thee we rove;
But now, encouraged by Thy voice, we come,
Returning sinners to a Father’s home.

Verse 4

O by that Name in whom all fulness dwells,
O by that love which every love excels,
O by that blood so freely shed for sin,
Open blest mercy’s gate, and take us in.

Verse 1

Father of all, to Thee
With loving hearts we pray,
Through Him, in mercy given,
The Life, the Truth, the Way:
From heaven, Thy throne, in mercy shed
Thy blessings on each bendèd head.

Verse 2

Father of all, to Thee
Our contrite hearts we raise,
Unstrung by sin and pain,
Long voiceless in Thy praise;
Breathe Thou the silent chords along,
Until they tremble into song.

Verse 3

Father of all, to Thee
We breathe unuttered fears,
Deep-hidden in our souls,
That have no voice but tears;
Take Thou our hand, and through the wild
Lead gently on each trembling child.

Verse 4

Father of all, may we
In praise our tongues employ,
When gladness fills the soul
With deep and hallowed joy;
In storm and calm give us to see
The path of peace, which leads to Thee.

Verse 1

Father of heaven, whose love profound
A ransom for our souls hath found,
Before Thy throne we sinners bend:
To us Thy pardoning love extend.

Verse 2

Almighty Son, Incarnate Word,
Our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord,
Before Thy throne we sinners bend:
To us Thy saving grace extend.

Verse 3

Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
The soul is raised from sin and death,
Before Thy throne we sinners bend:
To us Thy quickening power extend.

Verse 4

Jehovah,—Father, Spirit, Son—
Mysterious Godhead, Three in One,
Before Thy throne we sinners bend:
Grace, pardon, life, to us extend.

Verse 1

Hail, thou bright and sacred morn,
Risen with gladness in thy beams!
Light, which not of earth is born,
From thy dawn in glory streams:
Airs of heaven are breathed around,
And each place is holy ground.

Verse 2

Sad and weary were our way,
Fainting oft beneath our load,
But for thee, thou blessed day,
Resting-place on life’s rough road:
Here flow forth the streams of grace;
Strengthened hence we run our race.

Verse 3

Great Creator, who this day
From Thy perfect work didst rest,
By the souls that own Thy sway
Hallowed be its hours and blest;
Cares of earth aside be thrown,
This day given to heaven alone.

Verse 4

Saviour, who this day didst break
The dark prison of the tomb,
Bid my slumbering soul awake;
Shine through all its sin and gloom:
Let me, from my bonds set free,
Rise from sin, and live to Thee.

Verse 5

Blessed Spirit, Comforter,
Sent this day from Christ on high;
Lord, on me Thy gifts confer,
Cleanse, illumine, sanctify:
All Thine influence shed abroad;
Lead me to the truth of God.

Verse 1

Hosanna to the living Lord!
Hosanna to the Incarnate Word!
To Christ, Creator, Saviour, King,
Let earth, let heaven, Hosanna sing!
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Verse 2

Hosanna, Lord! Thine angels cry;
Hosanna, Lord! Thy saints reply;
Above, beneath us, and around,
The dead and living swell the sound:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Verse 3

O Saviour, with protecting care,
Return to this Thy house of prayer;
Assembled in Thy sacred Name,
Where we Thy parting promise claim:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Verse 4

But, chiefest, in our cleansèd breast,
Eternal, bid Thy Spirit rest,
And make our secret soul to be
A temple pure, and worthy Thee:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Verse 5

So, in the last and dreadful day,
When earth and heaven shall melt away,
Thy flock, redeemed from sinful stain,
Shall swell the sound of praise again:
Hosanna, Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

Verse 1

How charming is the place
Where my Redeemer God
Unveils the beauties of His face,
And sheds His love abroad.

Verse 2

Not the fair palaces
To which the great resort,
Are once to be compared with this,
Where Jesus holds His court.

Verse 3

Here, on the mercy-seat,
With radiant glory crowned,
Our joyful eyes behold Him sit,
And smile on all around.

Verse 4

To Him their prayers and cries
Each humble soul presents:
He listens to their broken sighs,
And grants them all their wants.

Verse 5

To them His sovereign will
He graciously imparts;
And in return accepts, with smiles,
The tribute of their hearts.

Verse 6

Give me, O Lord, a place
Within Thy blest abode,
Among the children of Thy grace,
The servants of my God.

Verse 1

Jesus, where-e’er Thy people meet,
There they behold Thy mercy-seat;
Where-e’er they seek Thee, Thou art found,
And every place is hallowed ground:

Verse 2

For Thou, within no walls confined,
Inhabitest the humble mind;
Such ever bring Thee where they come,
And going, take Thee to their home.

Verse 3

Dear Shepherd of Thy chosen few,
Thy former mercies here renew;
Here to our waiting hearts proclaim
The sweetness of Thy saving Name.

Verse 4

Here may we prove the power of prayer,
To strengthen faith, and sweeten care,
To teach our faint desires to rise,
And bring all heaven before our eyes.

Verse 5

Lord, we are few, but Thou art near;
Nor short Thine arm, nor deaf Thine ear:
O rend the heavens, come quickly down,
And make a thousand hearts Thine own.

Verse 1

Light of Light, enlighten me,
Now anew the day is dawning;
Sun of grace, the shadows flee;
Brighten Thou my Sabbath morning;
With Thy joyous sunshine blest,
Happy is my day of rest.

Verse 2

Fount of all our joy and peace,
To Thy living waters lead me;
Thou from earth my soul release,
And with grace and mercy feed me;
Bless Thy Word, that it may prove
Rich in fruits that Thou dost love.

Verse 3

Kindle Thou the sacrifice
That upon my lips is lying;
Clear the shadows from mine eyes,
That, from every error flying,
No strange fire may in me glow
That Thine altar doth not know.

Verse 4

Let me with my heart to-day,
Holy, Holy, Holy, singing,
Rapt awhile from earth away,
All my soul to Thee upspringing,
Have a foretaste inly given
How they worship Thee in heaven.

Verse 5

Rest in me, and I in Thee;
Build a paradise within me;
O reveal Thyself to me,
Blessed Love, who diedst to win me;
Fed from Thine exhaustless urn,
Pure and bright my lamp shall burn.

Verse 6

Hence all care, all vanity,
For the day to God is holy;
Come, Thou glorious Majesty,
Deign to fill this temple lowly;
Nought to-day my soul shall move,
Simply resting in Thy love.

Verse 1

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,
Travelling through this wilderness.

Verse 2

Thanks we give and adoration
For Thy gospel’s joyful sound:
May the fruits of Thy salvation
In our hearts and lives abound;
Ever faithful
To the truth may we be found.

Verse 3

So that when Thy love shall call us,
Saviour, from the world away,
Let no fear of death appal us,
Glad Thy summons to obey:
May we ever
Reign with Thee in endless day.

Verse 1

Lord, in the morning Thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To Thee will I direct my prayer,
To Thee lift up mine eye:

Verse 2

Up to the hills, where Christ is gone
To plead for all His saints,
Presenting at His Father’s throne
Our songs and our complaints.

Verse 3

Thou art a God before whose sight
The wicked shall not stand;
Sinners shall ne’er be Thy delight,
Nor dwell at Thy right hand.

Verse 4

But to Thy house will I resort,
To taste Thy mercies there;
I will frequent Thy holy court,
And worship in Thy fear.

Verse 5

O may Thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness;
Make every path of duty straight
And plain before my face.

Verse 1

Lord of power, Lord of might;
God and Father of us all;
Lord of day, and Lord of night,
Listen to our solemn call:
Listen, whilst to Thee we raise
Songs of prayer, and songs of praise.

Verse 2

Light, and love, and life are Thine,
Great Creator of all good;
Fill our souls with light Divine,
Give us with our daily food
Blessings from Thy heavenly store,
Blessings rich for evermore.

Verse 3

Graft within our heart of hearts
Love undying for Thy Name;
Bid us ere the day departs
Spread afar our Maker’s fame:
Young and old together bless,
Clothe our souls with righteousness.

Verse 4

Full of years, and full of peace,
May our life on earth be blest;
When our trials here shall cease,
And at last we sink to rest,
Fountain of eternal love,
Call us to our home above.

Verse 1

Lord of the hearts of men,
Thou hast vouchsafed to bless,
From age to age, Thy chosen saints
With fruits of holiness.

Verse 2

Here faith, and hope, and love
Reign in sweet bond allied;
There, when this little day is o’er,
Shall love alone abide.

Verse 3

O love, O truth, O light!
Light never to decay!
O rest from thousand labors past!
O endless Sabbath day!

Verse 4

Here, amid cares and tears,
Bearing the seed we come;
There, with rejoicing hearts, we bring
Our harvest burdens home.

Verse 5

Give, mighty Lord Divine,
The fruits Thyself dost love;
Soon shalt Thou, from Thy judgment-seat,
Crown Thine own gifts above.

Verse 1

Lord of the Sabbath, hear us pray,
In this Thy house, on this Thy day;
And own, as grateful sacrifice,
The songs which from Thy temple rise.

Verse 2

Now met to pray, and bless Thy Name,
Whose mercies flow each day the same,
Whose kind compassions never cease,
We seek instruction, pardon, peace.

Verse 3

Thy day of rest, O Lord, we love,
But look for truer rest above;
To that our laboring souls aspire
With ardent hope and strong desire.

Verse 4

In Thy blest kingdom we shall be
From every mortal trouble free;
No sighs shall mingle with the songs
Resounding from immortal tongues;

Verse 5

No rude alarms of raging foes;
No cares to break the long repose;
No midnight shade, no waning moon,
But sacred, high, eternal noon.

Verse 6

O long-expected day, begin,
Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!
Break, morn of God, upon our eyes!
And let the world’s true Sun arise!

Verse 1

Lord of the worlds above,
How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of Thy love,
Thine earthly temples, are:
To Thine abode my heart aspires,
With warm desires to see my God.

Verse 2

O happy souls that pray
Where God appoints to hear!
O happy men that pay
Their constant service there!
They praise Thee still; and happy they
That love the way to Zion’s hill.

Verse 3

They go from strength to strength,
Through this dark vale of tears,
Till each arrives at length,
Till each in heaven appears:
O glorious seat, when God, our King,
Shall thither bring our willing feet!

Verse 4

God is our Sun and Shield,
Our Light and our Defence;
With gifts His hands are filled;
We draw our blessings thence;
Thrice happy he, O God of hosts,
Whose spirit trusts alone in Thee.

Verse 1

Lord, on Thy returning day,
From common labor freed,
We are come to sing and pray
With felt returning need:
Come to seek our former rest,
Come to urge our old request.

Verse 2

Show us, Lord, the goal of life,
And give us heart to run;
Breathe the peace that follows strife,
Lest future work we shun:
Hearts that hasty time has grieved
Are by Sabbath calm relieved.

Verse 3

We would sing as in the rays
Of mercy ever bright,
Which endureth, to Thy praise,
For ever Thy delight:
Sing for happiness we know,
Or that we may happy grow.

Verse 4

We would pray as those who stand
Their truest Friend beside,
Whom He takes as by the hand,
Unto their God to guide;
By His power, and for His sake,
Fully us Thy children make.

Verse 1

Lord, we come before Thee now;
At Thy feet we humbly bow;
O do not our suit disdain:
Shall we seek Thee, Lord, in vain?

Verse 2

Lord, on Thee our souls depend,
In compassion, now descend;
Fill our hearts with Thy rich grace,
Tune our lips to sing Thy praise.

Verse 3

In Thine own appointed way,
Now we seek Thee, here we stay:
Lord, we know not how to go,
Till a blessing Thou bestow.

Verse 4

Send some message from Thy Word,
That may joy and peace afford;
Let Thy Spirit now impart
Full salvation to each heart.

Verse 5

Comfort those who weep and mourn,
Let the time of joy return;
Heal the sick, the captive free,
Let us all rejoice in Thee.

Verse 1

Lord, when we bend before Thy throne,
And our confessions pour,
Teach us to feel the sins we own,
And hate what we deplore.

Verse 2

Our broken spirits pitying see,
And penitence impart;
Then let a kindling glance from Thee
Beam hope upon the heart.

Verse 3

When our responsive tongues essay
Their grateful hymns to raise,
Grant that our souls may join the lay,
And mount to Thee in praise.

Verse 4

When we disclose our wants in prayer,
May we our wills resign;
And not a thought our bosom share
Which is not wholly Thine.

Verse 5

Let faith each meek petition fill,
And waft it to the skies;
And teach our hearts ’tis goodness still
That grants it, or denies.

Verse 1

May the grace of Christ our Saviour,
And the Father’s boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit’s favor,
Rest upon us from above.

Verse 2

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.

Verse 1

My God, how endless is Thy love!
Thy gifts are every evening new;
And morning mercies from above
Gently distil like early dew.

Verse 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.

Verse 3

I yield my powers to Thy command,
To Thee I consecrate my days;
Perpetual blessings from Thy hand
Demand perpetual songs of praise.

Verse 1

My Lord, my Love, was crucified,
He all the pains did bear;
But in the sweetness of His rest
He makes His servants share.

Verse 2

How sweetly rest Thy saints above
Which in Thy bosom lie;
The Church below doth rest in hope
Of that felicity.

Verse 3

Thou, Lord, who daily feed’st Thy sheep,
Mak’st them a weekly feast;
Thy flocks meet in their several folds
Upon this day of rest.

Verse 4

Welcome and dear unto my soul
Are these sweet feasts of love;
But what a Sabbath shall I keep
When I shall rest above!

Verse 5

I bless Thy wise and wondrous love,
Which binds us to be free;
Which makes us leave our earthly snares,
That we may come to Thee.

Verse 6

I come, I wait, I hear, I pray,
Thy footsteps, Lord, I trace;
I sing to think this is the way
Unto my Saviour’s face.

Verse 1

New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.

Verse 2

New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

Verse 3

If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

Verse 4

The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask;
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer God.

Verse 5

Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love,
Fit us for perfect rest above,
And help us, this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray.

Verse 1

Now from the altar of my heart
Let incense-flames arise:
Assist me, Lord, to offer up
Mine evening sacrifice.

Verse 2

Awake, my love! awake, my joy!
Awake, my heart and tongue!
Sleep not: when mercies loudly call,
Break forth into a song.

Verse 3

This day God was my Sun and Shield,
My Keeper and my Guide;
His care was on my frailty shown,
His mercies multiplied.

Verse 4

Minutes and mercies multiplied
Have made up all this day:
Minutes came quick, but mercies were
More fleet and free than they.

Verse 5

New time, new favor, and new joys
Do a new song require:
Till I shall praise thee as I would,
Accept my heart’s desire.

Verse 6

Lord of my time, whose hand hath set
New time upon my score,
Then shall I praise for all my time,
When time shall be no more.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 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.

Verse 3

Let holy 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.

Verse 4

As Thy beloved, soothe the sick and weeping,
And bid the prisoner lose his griefs in sleeping;
Widows and orphans, we to Thee commend them,
Do Thou befriend them.

Verse 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.

Verse 6

Father, Thy Name be praised, Thy kingdom given,
Thy will be done on earth as ’tis in heaven;
Keep us in life, forgive our sins, deliver
Us now and ever.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 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.

Verse 3

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

Verse 1

Now, when the dusky shades of night, retreating
Before the sun’s red banner, swiftly flee;
Now, when the terrors of the dark are fleeting,
O Lord, we lift our thankful hearts to Thee:

Verse 2

To Thee, whose word, the fount of light unsealing,
When hill and dale in thickest darkness lay,
Awoke bright rays across the dim earth stealing,
And bade the even and morn complete the day.

Verse 3

Look from the tower of heaven, and send to cheer us
Thy light and truth, to guide us onward still;
Still let Thy mercy, as of old, be near us,
And lead us safely to Thy holy hill.

Verse 4

In vain to labor, unless Thou be with him,
Man goeth forth through all the weary day;
In vain his strife, in vain his toil unceasing,
Unless Thy staff bring comfort on his way.

Verse 5

Thou, who hast made the north and south, watch o’er us;
Thou, in whose Name the lonely ones rejoice,
Still let Thy cloudy pillar glide before us,
Still let us listen for Thy warning voice.

Verse 6

So, when that morn of endless light is waking,
And shades of evil from its splendors flee,
Safe may we rise, the earth’s dark breast forsaking,
Through all the long bright day to dwell with Thee.

Verse 1

O day of rest and gladness,
O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness,
Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly,
Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy,
To the great God Triune.

Verse 2

On thee, at the creation,
The light first had its birth:
On thee, for our salvation,
Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious,
The Spirit sent from heaven;
And thus on thee, most glorious,
A triple light was given.

Verse 3

Thou art a port protected
From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected
With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain
In life’s dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah’s mountain,
We view our promised land.

Verse 4

To-day on weary nations
The heavenly manna falls:
To holy convocations
The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing
With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing
With soul-refreshing streams.

Verse 5

New graces ever gaining
From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining
To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises,
To Father, and to Son;
The Church her voice upraises
To Thee, blest Three in One.

Verse 1

O day of rest and gladness,
O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness,
Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly,
Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy,
To the great God Triune.

Verse 2

On thee, at the creation,
The light first had its birth:
On thee, for our salvation,
Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious,
The Spirit sent from heaven;
And thus on thee, most glorious,
A triple light was given.

Verse 3

Thou art a port protected
From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected
With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain
In life’s dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah’s mountain,
We view our promised land.

Verse 4

To-day on weary nations
The heavenly manna falls:
To holy convocations
The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing
With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing
With soul-refreshing streams.

Verse 5

New graces ever gaining
From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining
To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises,
To Father, and to Son;
The Church her voice upraises
To Thee, blest Three in One.

Verse 1

O God, before Thy sun’s bright beams
All night’s dark shadows fly;
So on the soul Thy mercy gleams,
And doubts and terrors die.

Verse 2

So freshly falls Thy heaven-sent grace,
As morning’s gladdening breath;
Gives light to all to seek Thy face,
And guides in life and death.

Verse 3

O holy light! O light of God!
O light unseen below,
Which fills the courts of Thine abode,
Which there the blest shall know!

Verse 4

Swift comes the hour when none can toil,
Short is the rugged way:
Teach us our lamps to fill with oil,
Whilst it is called to-day.

Verse 5

Then we shall see that glorious light
Which to the saints is given,
So sweet, so fair, so passing bright,
The eternal morn of heaven.

Verse 6

O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
O holy One in Three,
Grant us, with all Thy glorious host,
To share that morn with Thee.

Verse 1

O God of hosts, the mighty Lord,
How lovely is the place
Where Thou, enthroned in glory, show’st
The brightness of Thy face.

Verse 2

O Lord of hosts, my King and God,
How highly blest are they
Who in Thy temple always dwell,
And there Thy praise display.

Verse 3

Thrice happy they whose choice has Thee
Their sure protection made;
Who long to tread the sacred ways
That to Thy dwelling lead.

Verse 4

For in Thy courts one single day
’Tis better to attend,
Than, Lord, in any place besides
A thousand days to spend.

Verse 5

For God, who is our Sun and Shield,
Will grace and glory give;
And no good thing will He withhold
From them that justly live.

Verse 6

Thou God, whom heavenly hosts obey,
How highly blest is he
Whose hope and trust, securely placed,
Is still reposed on Thee.

Verse 1

O Jesus, Lord of heavenly grace,
Thou Brightness of Thy Father’s face,
Thou Fountain of eternal light,
Whose beams disperse the shades of night:

Verse 2

Come, holy Sun of heavenly love,
Shower down Thy radiance from above,
And to our inward hearts convey
The Holy Spirit’s cloudless ray.

Verse 3

May He our actions deign to bless,
And loose the bonds of wickedness;
From sudden falls our feet defend,
And bring us to a prosperous end.

Verse 4

May faith, deep rooted in the soul,
Subdue our flesh, our minds control,
May guile depart, and discord cease,
And all within be joy and peace.

Verse 5

O hallowed be the approaching day;
Let meekness be our morning ray;
And faithful love our noonday light;
And hope our sunset, calm and bright.

Verse 6

O Christ, with each returning morn
Thine image to our hearts is borne:
O may we ever clearly see
Our Saviour and our God in Thee.

Verse 1

O Light of life, O Saviour dear,
Before we sleep bow down Thine ear:
Through dark and day, o’er land and sea,
We have no other hope but Thee.

Verse 2

Oft from Thy royal road we part,
Lost in the mazes of the heart:
Our lamps put out, our course forgot,
We seek for God, and find Him not.

Verse 3

What sudden sunbeams cheer our sight!
What dawning risen upon the night!
Thou giv’st Thyself to us, and we
Find guide and path and all in Thee.

Verse 4

Through day and darkness, Saviour dear,
Abide with us, more nearly near;
Till on Thy face we lift our eyes,
The Sun of God’s own Paradise.

Verse 5

Praise God, our Maker and our Friend;
Praise Him through time, till time shall end;
Till psalm and song His Name adore
Through heaven’s great day of evermore.

Verse 1

Open now Thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him who answers prayer:
O how blessed is this place,
Filled with solace, light, and grace.

Verse 2

Yes, my God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also down to me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heaven on earth must be:
To my heart O enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now.

Verse 3

Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown,
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone;
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

Verse 4

Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee
While Thou dost Thy people feed:
Here of life the fountain flows,
Here is balm for all our woes.

Verse 1

Our day of praise is done;
The evening shadows fall;
But pass not from us with the sun,
True Light that lightenest all.

Verse 2

Around the throne on high,
Where night can never be,
The white-robed harpers of the sky
Bring ceaseless hymns to Thee.

Verse 3

Too faint our anthems here;
Too soon of praise we tire:
But O the strains, how full and clear,
Of that eternal choir!

Verse 4

Yet, Lord, to Thy dear will
If Thou attune the heart,
We in Thine angels’ music still
May bear our lower part.

Verse 5

’Tis Thine each soul to calm,
Each wayward thought reclaim,
And make our life a daily psalm
Of glory to Thy Name.

Verse 6

A little while, and then
Shall come the glorious end;
And songs of angels and of men
In perfect praise shall blend.

Verse 1

Pleasant are Thy courts above,
In the land of light and love;
Pleasant are Thy courts below,
In this land of sin and woe.
O my spirit longs and faints
For the converse of Thy saints,
For the brightness of Thy face,
For Thy fulness, God of grace.

Verse 2

Happy birds that sing and fly
Round Thy altars, O Most High!
Happier souls that find a rest
In a heavenly Father’s breast!
Like the wandering dove, that found
No repose on earth around,
They can to their ark repair
And enjoy it ever there.

Verse 3

Happy souls! their praises flow
Even in this vale of woe;
Waters in the desert rise,
Manna feeds them from the skies:
On they go from strength to strength,
Till they reach Thy throne at length;
At Thy feet adoring fall,
Who hast led them safe through all.

Verse 4

Lord, be mine this prize to win;
Guide me through a world of sin;
Keep me by Thy saving grace;
Give me at Thy side a place.
Sun and Shield alike Thou art;
Guide and guard my erring heart:
Grace and glory flow from Thee;
Shower, O shower them, Lord, on me.

Verse 1

Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek,
Waiting in His courts to-day;
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.

Verse 2

While we pray for pardoning grace,
Through the dear Redeemer’s Name,
Show Thy reconcilèd face;
Take away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free,
May we rest this day in Thee.

Verse 3

Here we come Thy Name to praise,
Let us feel Thy presence near;
May Thy glory meet our eyes,
While we in Thy house appear:
Here afford us, Lord, a taste
Of our everlasting feast.

Verse 4

May Thy gospel’s joyful sound
Conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints:
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove
Till we join the Church above.

Verse 1

Saviour, again to Thy dear Name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise;
We stand to bless Thee ere our worship cease;
Then, lowly kneeling, wait Thy word of peace.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 1

Saviour, again to Thy dear Name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise;
We stand to bless Thee ere our worship cease;
Then, lowly kneeling, wait Thy word of peace.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

Verse 1

Saviour, breathe an evening blessing,
Ere repose our spirits seal;
Sin and want we come confessing:
Thou canst save, and Thou canst heal.

Verse 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.

Verse 3

Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He, who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be.

Verse 4

Should death this night o’ertake us,
And our couch become our tomb,
May the morn in heaven awake us,
Clad in bright and deathless bloom.

Verse 1

Saviour, breathe an evening blessing,
Ere repose our spirits seal;
Sin and want we come confessing:
Thou canst save, and Thou canst heal.

Verse 2

Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He, who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be.

Verse 3

Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrow past us fly,
Angel-guards from Thee surround us;
We are safe if Thou art nigh.

Verse 4

Should swift death this night o’ertake us,
And our couch become our tomb,
May the morn in heaven awake us,
Clad in light and deathless bloom.

Verse 1

Saviour, when night involves the skies,
My soul, adoring, turns to Thee;
Thee, self-abased in mortal guise,
And wrapt in shades of death for me.

Verse 2

On Thee my waking raptures dwell,
When crimson gleams the east adorn,
Thee, Victor of the grave and hell,
Thee, Source of life’s eternal morn.

Verse 3

When noon her throne in light arrays,
To Thee my soul triumphant springs;
Thee, throned in glory’s endless blaze,
Thee, Lord of lords and King of kings.

Verse 4

O’er earth when shades of evening steal,
To death and Thee my thoughts I give;
To death, whose power I soon shall feel,
To Thee, with whom I trust to live.

Verse 1

Softly now the light of day
Fades upon my sight away;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord, I would commune with Thee.

Verse 2

Thou, whose all-pervading eye
Nought escapes, without, within,
Pardon each infirmity,
Open fault, and secret sin.

Verse 3

Soon for me the light of day
Shall for ever pass away;
Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take me, Lord, to dwell with Thee.

Verse 4

Thou who, sinless, yet hast known
All of man’s infirmity;
Then, from Thine eternal throne,
Jesus, look with pitying eye.

Verse 1

Spirit Divine, attend our prayers,
And make this house Thy home;
Descend with all Thy gracious powers,
O come, great Spirit, come.

Verse 2

Come as the light; to us reveal
Our emptiness and woe;
And lead us in those paths of life
Where all the righteous go.

Verse 3

Come as the fire; and purge our hearts,
Like sacrificial flame:
Let our whole soul an offering be
To our Redeemer’s Name.

Verse 4

Come as the dove; and spread Thy wings,
The wings of peaceful love;
And let Thy Church on earth become
Blest as Thy Church above.

Verse 5

Spirit Divine, attend our prayers;
Make a lost world Thy home;
Descend with all Thy gracious powers,
O come, great Spirit, come.

Verse 1

Star of morn and even,
Sun of heaven’s heaven,
Saviour high and dear,
Toward us turn Thine ear;
Through whate’er may come,
Thou canst lead us home.

Verse 2

Though the gloom be grievous,
Those we leant on leave us,
Though the coward heart
Quit its proper part,
Though the tempter come,
Thou wilt lead us home.

Verse 3

Saviour pure and holy,
Lover of the lowly,
Sign us with Thy sign,
Take our hands in Thine,
Take our hands and come,
Lead Thy children home.

Verse 4

Star of morn and even,
Shine on us from heaven;
From Thy glory-throne
Hear Thy very own:
Lord and Saviour, come,
Lead us to our home.

Verse 1

Still with Thee, O my God,
I would desire to be,
By day, by night; at home, abroad,
I would be still with Thee.

Verse 2

With Thee when dawn comes in
And calls me back to care,
Each day returning to begin
With Thee, my God, in prayer.

Verse 3

With Thee amid the crowd
That throngs the busy mart,
To hear Thy voice, where time’s is loud,
Speak softly to my heart.

Verse 4

With Thee when day is done,
And evening calms the mind;
The setting as the rising sun
With Thee my heart would find.

Verse 5

With Thee when darkness brings
The signal of repose,
Calm in the shadow of Thy wings,
Mine eyelids I would close.

Verse 6

With Thee, in Thee, by faith
Abiding, I would be;
By day, by night, in life, in death,
I would be still with Thee.

Verse 1

Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if Thou be near;
O may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes.

Verse 2

When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought, how sweet to rest
For ever on my Saviour’s breast.

Verse 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.

Verse 4

If some poor wandering child of Thine
Have spurned to-day the voice Divine,
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin;
Let him no more lie down in sin.

Verse 5

Watch by the sick; enrich the poor
With blessings from Thy boundless store;
Be every mourner’s sleep to-night,
Like infants’ slumbers, pure and light.

Verse 6

Come near and bless us when we wake,
Ere through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of Thy love
We lose ourselves in heaven above.

Verse 1

Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear,
It is not night if Thou be near;
O may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes.

Verse 2

When the soft dews of kindly sleep
My wearied eyelids gently steep,
Be my last thought, how sweet to rest
For ever on my Saviour’s breast.

Verse 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.

Verse 4

If some poor wandering child of Thine
Have spurned to-day the voice Divine,
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin;
Let him no more lie down in sin.

Verse 5

Watch by the sick; enrich the poor
With blessings from Thy boundless store;
Be every mourner’s sleep to-night,
Like infants’ slumbers, pure and light.

Verse 6

Come near and bless us when we wake,
Ere through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of Thy love
We lose ourselves in heaven above.

Verse 1

Sweet is the work, my God, my King,
To praise Thy Name, give thanks, and sing;
To show Thy love by morning light,
And tell of all Thy truth at night.

Verse 2

Sweet is the day of sacred rest;
No mortal care shall seize my breast;
O may my heart in tune be found,
Like David’s harp of solemn sound.

Verse 3

My heart shall triumph in my Lord,
And bless His works, and bless His word:
Thy works of grace, how bright they shine!
How deep Thy counsels, how Divine!

Verse 4

But I shall share a glorious part
When grace hath well refined my heart,
And fresh supplies of joy are shed,
Like holy oil to cheer my head.

Verse 5

Then shall I see, and hear, and know,
All I desired or wished below;
And every power find sweet employ
In that eternal world of joy.

Verse 1

Sweet Saviour, bless us ere we go,
Thy word into our minds instil;
And make our lukewarm hearts to glow
With lowly love and fervent will:
Through life’s long day and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Verse 2

The day is done, its hours have run;
And Thou hast taken count of all,
The scanty triumphs grace hath won,
The broken vow, the frequent fall:
Through life’s long day and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Verse 3

Grant us, dear Lord, from evil ways
True absolution and release;
And bless us, more than in past days,
With purity and inward peace:
Through life’s long day and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Verse 4

Do more than pardon; give us joy,
Sweet fear, and sober liberty,
And loving hearts without alloy,
That only long to be like Thee:
Through life’s long day and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Verse 5

For all we love, the poor, the sad,
The sinful, unto Thee we call;
O let Thy mercy make us glad;
Thou art our Jesus, and our All:
Through life’s long day and death’s dark night,
O gentle Jesus, be our Light.

Verse 1

The day is gently sinking to a close,
Fainter and yet more faint the sunlight glows:
O Brightness of Thy Father’s glory, Thou
Eternal Light of Light, be with us now:
Where Thou art present darkness cannot be:
Midnight is glorious noon, O Lord, with Thee.

Verse 2

Our changeful lives are ebbing to an end;
Onward to darkness and to death we tend:
O Conqueror of the grave, be Thou our Guide,
Be Thou our Light in death’s dark eventide;
Then in our mortal hour will be no gloom,
No sting in death, no terror in the tomb.

Verse 3

Thou, who in darkness walking didst appear
Upon the waves, and Thy disciples cheer,
Come, Lord, in lonesome days, when storms assail,
And earthly hopes and human succors fail;
When all is dark, may we behold Thee nigh,
And hear Thy voice, “Fear not, for it is I.”

Verse 4

The weary world is mouldering to decay,
Its glories wane, its pageants fade away:
In that last sunset, when the stars shall fall,
May we arise, awakened by Thy call,
With Thee, O Lord, for ever to abide
In that blest day which has no eventide.

Verse 1

The day is past and over:
All thanks, O Lord, to Thee;
I pray Thee that offenceless
The hours of dark may be:
O Jesus, keep me in Thy sight,
And save me through the coming night.

Verse 2

The joys of day are over:
I lift my heart to Thee,
And call on Thee that sinless
The hours of gloom may be.
O Jesus, make their darkness light,
And save me through the coming night.

Verse 3

The toils of day are over:
I raise the hymn to Thee,
And ask that free from peril
The hours of fear may be.
O Jesus, keep me in Thy sight,
And guard me through the coming night.

Verse 4

Lighten mine eyes, O Saviour,
Or sleep in death shall I,
And he, my wakeful tempter,
Triumphantly shall cry,
“He could not make their darkness light,
Nor guard them through the hours of night.”

Verse 5

Be Thou my soul’s Preserver,
O God, for Thou dost know
How many are the perils
Through which I have to go,
Lover of men, O hear my call,
And guard and save me from them all.

Verse 1

The day, O Lord, is spent;
Abide with us, and rest;
Our hearts’ desires are fully bent
On making Thee our Guest.

Verse 2

We have not reached that land,
That happy land, as yet,
Where holy angels round Thee stand,
Whose sun can never set.

Verse 3

Our sun is sinking now;
Our day is almost o’er;
O Sun of Righteousness, do Thou
Shine on us evermore.

Verse 4

From men below the skies,
And all the heavenly host,
To God the Father praise arise,
The Son, and Holy Ghost.

Verse 1

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall hallow now our rest.

Verse 2

We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

Verse 3

As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

Verse 4

The sun, that bids us rest, is waking
Our brethren ’neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

Verse 5

So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
But stand, and rule, and grow for ever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.

Verse 1

The Lord be with us as we bend
His blessing to receive;
His gift of peace upon us send,
Before His courts we leave.

Verse 2

The Lord be with us as we walk
Along our homeward road;
In silent thought or friendly talk
Our hearts be still with God.

Verse 3

The Lord be with us till the night
Shall close the day of rest;
Be He of every heart the Light,
Of every home the Guest.

Verse 4

And when our nightly prayers we say,
His watch He still shall keep,
Crown with His grace His own blest day,
And guard His people’s sleep.

Verse 1

The radiant morn hath passed away,
And spent too soon her golden store;
The shadows of departing day
Creep on once more.

Verse 2

Our life is but a fading dawn;
Its glorious noon how quickly past:
Lead us, O Christ, when all is gone,
Safe home at last.

Verse 3

O by Thy soul-inspiring grace
Uplift our hearts to realms on high;
Help us to look to that bright place
Beyond the sky,

Verse 4

Where light, and life, and joy, and peace,
In undivided empire reign,
And thronging angels never cease
Their deathless strain;

Verse 5

Where saints are clothed in spotless white,
And evening shadows never fall,
Where Thou, Eternal Light of Light,
Art Lord of all.

Verse 1

The shadows of the evening hours
Fall from the darkening sky;
Upon the fragrance of the flowers
The dews of evening lie:
Before Thy throne, O Lord of heaven,
We kneel at close of day;
Look on Thy children from on high,
And hear us while we pray.

Verse 2

The sorrows of Thy servants, Lord,
O do not Thou despise,
But let the incense of our prayers
Before Thy mercy rise.
The brightness of the coming night
Upon the darkness rolls;
With hopes of future glory chase
The shadows from our souls.

Verse 3

Slowly the rays of daylight fade;
So fade within our heart
The hopes in earthly love and joy
That one by one depart.
Slowly the bright stars, one by one,
Within the heavens shine;
Give us, O Lord, fresh hopes in heaven,
And trust in things Divine.

Verse 4

Let peace, O Lord, Thy peace, O God,
Upon our souls descend;
From midnight fears and perils, Thou
Our trembling hearts defend:
Give us a respite from our toil,
Calm and subdue our woes,
Through the long day we labor, Lord,
O give us now repose.

Verse 1

The sun is sinking fast,
The daylight dies;
Let love awake, and pay
Her evening sacrifice.

Verse 2

As Christ, upon the cross
In death reclined,
Into His Father’s hands
His parting soul resigned;

Verse 3

So now herself my soul
Would wholly give
Into His sacred charge,
In whom all spirits live;

Verse 4

So now beneath His eye
Would calmly rest,
Without a wish or thought
Abiding in the breast,

Verse 5

Save that His will be done,
Whate’er betide;
Dead to herself, and dead
In Him to all beside.

Verse 6

Thus would I live; yet now
Not I, but He
In all His power and love
Henceforth alive in me,

Verse 7

One sacred Trinity,
One Lord Divine;
Myself for ever His,
And He for ever mine!

Verse 1

This day, at Thy creating word,
First o’er the earth the light was poured:
O Lord, this day upon us shine,
And fill our souls with light Divine.

Verse 2

This day the Lord, for sinners slain,
In might victorious rose again:
O Jesus, may we raised be
From death of sin to life in Thee.

Verse 3

This day the Holy Spirit came
With fiery tongues of cloven flame:
O Spirit, fill our hearts this day
With grace to hear, and grace to pray.

Verse 4

O day of light, and life, and grace,
From earthly toils sweet resting-place!
Thy hallowed hours, best gift of Love,
Give we again to God above.

Verse 5

All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom, with the Spirit, we adore
For ever and for evermore.

Verse 1

This is the day of light:
Let there be light to-day;
O Dayspring, rise upon our night,
And chase its gloom away.

Verse 2

This is the day of rest:
Our failing strength renew;
On weary brain and troubled breast
Shed Thou Thy freshening dew.

Verse 3

This is the day of peace:
Thy peace our spirits fill;
Bid Thou the blasts of discord cease,
The waves of strife be still.

Verse 4

This is the day of prayer:
Let earth to heaven draw near:
Lift up our hearts to seek Thee there:
Come down to meet us here.

Verse 5

This is the first of days:
Send forth Thy quickening breath,
And wake dead souls to love and praise,
O Vanquisher of death!

Verse 1

This is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours His own;
Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.

Verse 2

To-day He rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell;
To-day the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.

Verse 3

Hosanna to the anointed King,
To David’s holy Son!
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring
Salvation from the throne.

Verse 4

Blest be the Lord, who comes to men
With messages of grace;
Who comes in God His Father’s Name
To save our sinful race.

Verse 5

Hosanna in the highest strains
The Church on earth can raise!
The highest heavens in which He reigns
Shall give Him nobler praise.

Verse 1

This night, O Lord, we bless Thee
For Thy protecting care,
And, ere we rest, address Thee
In lowly, fervent prayer:
From evil and temptation
Defend us through the night,
And round our habitation
Be Thou a wall of light.

Verse 2

On Thee our whole reliance
From day to day we cast,
To Thee, with firm affiance,
Would cleave from first to last;
To Thee, through Jesus’ merit,
For needful grace we come,
And trust that Thy good Spirit
Will guide us safely home.

Verse 3

What may be on the morrow
Our foresight cannot see;
But be it joy or sorrow,
We know it comes from Thee,
And nothing can take from us,
Where’er our steps may move,
The staff of Thy sure promise,
The shield of Thy true love.

Verse 1

Through the day Thy love has 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.

Verse 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 brief day is past,
Rest with Thee in heaven at last.

Verse 3

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

Verse 1

To Thy temple I repair;
Lord, I love to worship there,
When, within the veil, I meet
Christ before the mercy-seat.

Verse 2

While Thy glorious praise is sung,
Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,
That my joyful soul may bless
Thee, the Lord my Righteousness.

Verse 3

While the prayers of saints ascend,
God of love, to mine attend;
Hear me, for Thy Spirit pleads;
Hear, for Jesus intercedes.

Verse 4

While I hearken to Thy law,
Fill my soul with humble awe,
Till Thy gospel bring to me
Life and immortality.

Verse 5

While Thy ministers proclaim
Peace and pardon in Thy Name,
Through their voice, by faith, may I
Hear Thee speaking from the sky.

Verse 6

From Thy house when I return,
May my heart within me burn,
And at evening let me say,—
I have walked with God to-day.

Verse 1

Welcome, delightful morn,
Thou day of sacred rest;
I hail thy kind return:
Lord, make these moments blest:
From the low train of mortal toys,
I soar to reach immortal joys.

Verse 2

Now may the King descend,
And fill His throne of grace:
Thy sceptre, Lord, extend,
While saints address Thy face;
Let sinners feel Thy quickening word,
And learn to know and fear the Lord.

Verse 3

Descend, celestial Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Disclose a Saviour’s love,
And bless these sacred hours;
Then shall my soul new life obtain,
Nor Sabbaths e’er be spent in vain.

Verse 1

Welcome, sweet day of rest,
That saw the Lord arise:
Welcome to this reviving breast,
And these rejoicing eyes.

Verse 2

The King Himself comes near,
And feasts His saints to-day:
Here we may sit, and see Him here,
And love, and praise, and pray.

Verse 3

One day amidst the place
Where my dear God hath been,
Is sweeter than ten thousand days
Of pleasurable sin.

Verse 4

My willing soul would stay
In such a frame as this,
And wait to hail the brighter day
Of everlasting bliss.

Verse 1

What shall I render to my God
For all His kindness shown?
My feet shall visit Thine abode,
My songs address Thy throne.

Verse 2

Among the saints that fill Thy house,
My offering shall be paid;
There shall my zeal perform the vows
My soul in anguish made.

Verse 3

How much is mercy Thy delight,
Thou ever-blessed God!
How dear Thy servants in Thy sight!
How precious is their blood!

Verse 4

How happy all Thy servants are!
How great Thy grace to me!
My life, which Thou hast made Thy care,
Lord, I devote to Thee.

Verse 5

Now I am Thine, for ever Thine,
Nor shall my purpose move:
Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain,
And bound me with Thy love.

Verse 6

Here in Thy courts I leave my vow,
And Thy rich grace record;
Witness, ye saints who hear me now,
If I forsake the Lord.

Verse 1

Ye holy angels bright,
Who wait at God’s right hand,
Or through the realms of light
Fly at your Lord’s command,
Assist our song, or else the theme
Too high doth seem for mortal tongue.

Verse 2

Ye blessed souls at rest,
Who ran this earthly race,
And now, from sin released,
Behold your Saviour’s face,
God’s praises sound, as in His light
With sweet delight ye do abound.

Verse 3

Ye saints, who toil below,
Adore your heavenly King,
And onward as ye go
Some joyful anthem sing;
Take what He gives, and praise Him still,
Through good and ill, who ever lives.

Verse 4

My soul, bear thou thy part,
Triumph in God above,
And with a well-tuned heart
Sing thou the songs of love:
Let all thy days till life shall end,
Whate’er He send, be filled with praise.