The Hymnal and Order of Service ‎#551

551. Now God Be with Us, for the Night Is Closing

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.

2 Let evil thoughts and spirits flee before us;
Till morning cometh, watch, O Father, o’er us,
In soul and body Thou from harm defend us,
Thine angels send us.

3 Let pious thoughts be ours when sleep o’ertakes us;
Our earliest thoughts be Thine when morning wakes us;
Thee let us serve in all that we are doing
Thy praise pursuing.

4 Through Thy Belovèd soothe the sick and weeping.
And bid the captive lose his griefs in sleeping:
Widows and orphans, we to Thee commend them;
Do Thou befriend them.

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.

6 Father, Thy Name be praised, Thy kingdom given,
Thy will be done on earth as ’tis in heaven,
Give daily bread, forgive our sins, deliver
Us now and ever.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Now God be with us, for the night is closing
• Title: Now God Be with Us, for the Night Is Closing
• Translator: Miss Catherine Winkworth
• Meter: 11 11, 11 5.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1937
• Topic: Occasional: Evening; Evening
• Source: Bohemian Brethren, 1566, a.

Tune Information

• Name: NIGHTFALL
• Composer: Joseph Barnby (1872)
• Meter: 11 11, 11 5.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Or: Integer Vitae, No. 460.