Common Praise ‎#23

23. The duteous day now closeth

1 The duteous day now closeth,
each flower and tree reposeth,
shade creeps o’er wild and wood:
let us, as night is falling,
on God our Maker calling,
give thanks to him, the giver good.

2 Now all the heavenly splendour
breaks forth in starlight tender
from myriad worlds unknown;
and man, the marvel seeing,
forgets his selfish being,
for joy of beauty not his own.

3 His care he drowneth yonder,
lost in the abyss of wonder;
to heaven his soul doth steal;
this life he disesteemeth,
the day it is that dreameth,
that doth from truth his vision seal.

4 Awhile his mortal blindness
may miss God’s loving-kindness,
and grope in faithless strife:
but when life’s day is over
shall death’s fair night discover
the fields of everlasting life.

Text Information

• First Line: The duteous day now closeth
• German Title: Nun ruhen alle Wälder
• Paraphraser: Robert Bridges, 1844-1930
• Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
• Meter: 776 778
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Scripture:
  James 1:17
  ;
  Psalm 8:3-4
• Topic: Evening

Tune Information

• Name: INNSBRUCK
• Transcriber: Heinrich Isaac, c. 1450-1527
• Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
• Meter: 776 778
• Key: G Major
• Source: Traditional song