euch die goldnen Waffen
Ums Bett, und seiner Helden Schaar.
Paul Gerhard. 1606–1676.
Evening Hymn.
Hide me under the Shadow of Thy Wings.
Ps. xvii. 8.
Now hushed are woods and waters,
At rest toil’s sons and daughters,
The world aslumber lies;
But thou, my Soul, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake thee,
And bid their grateful incense rise.
Sun, whither hast thou vanished?
The night, day’s foe, has banished
At length each lingering beam;
But Jesus now draws nearer,
A better Sun and dearer
Sheds through my heart a warmer gleam.
The day has fled defeated—
In heaven’s deep azure seated,
Stars shine, a golden band;
I too, on that bright morrow,
Called from this vale of sorrow,
Like them, in heaven with God shall stand.
To rest my body hasteth,
Aside its garments casteth,
Types of our mortal state;
When I put off this mortal,
At death’s mysterious portal,
Christ’s pure white Robes my soul await.
As day’s turmoil is closing,
Head, hands, and feet reposing,
Welcome the set of sun;
Cheer up, my heart, with gladness!
Thou, free from sin and sadness,
Wilt joy when life’s long task is done.
Tired limbs, how toil oppressed you!
Ye long in bed to rest you,
And thou, my weary head!
A little longer tarry,
Till this worn frame they carry,
To rest in earth’s green narrow bed.
Sleep o’er mine eyes is creeping—
Say, while unconscious sleeping,
Where bide the Soul and Sense?
O Israel’s Eye and Saviour,
Look down with Grace and Favour,
And be this night my sure Defence.
Lord, as a hen safe gathers
Her brood beneath her feathers,
Spread Thou Thy sheltering Wing;
This couch if Satan cumber,
“My child, still safely slumber,”
Let guardian Angels round me sing.
So, safe ’neath God’s protection,
Sleep ye whom fond Affection
Within my heart holds dear;
May His bright Guards attend you,
And Golden Shields defend you,
If aught of ill approach you near!
Morgenlied.
Sende dein Licht und deine Wahrheit, dass sie mich leiten.
Die goldne Sonne
Voll Freud und Wonne
Bringt unsern Gränzen
Mit ihrem Glänzen
Ein herzerquickendes liebliches Licht.
Mein Haupt und Glieder
Die lagen danieder,
Aber nun steh ich,
Bin munter und fröhlich,
Schaue den Himmel mit meinem Gesicht.
Mein Auge schauet,
Was Gott gebauet
Zu seinen Ehren,
Und uns zu lehren,
Wie sein Vermögen sei mächtig und gross,
Und wo die Frommen
Dann sollen hinkommen,
Wenn sie mit Frieden
Von hinnen geschieden
Aus dieser Erden vergänglichem Schoss.
Lasset uns singen,
Dem Schöpfer bringen
Güter und Gaben;
Was wir nur haben,
Alles sei Gotte zum Opfer gesetzt:
Die besten Güter
Sind unsre Gemüther;
Dankbare Lieder
Sind Weihrauch und Widder,
An welchen Er sich am meisten ergötzt.
Abend
