Now Rest beneath Night's Shadow

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Now rest beneath night's shadow The woodland, field and meadow

Author: Paul Gerhardt
Tune: INNSBRUCK
Published in 16 hymnals

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Audio files: MIDI

Piano/Organ
	Communion Hymns for Organ, Vol. 2

Representative Text

1 Now rest beneath night's shadow
the woodland, field, and meadow;
the world in slumber lies.
But you, my heart, awaken,
with prayer and song be taken;
let praise to your Creator rise.

2 The rule of day is over
and shining jewels cover
the heaven's boundless blue.
Thus I shall shine in heaven,
where crowns of gold are given
to all who faithful prove and true.

3 Lord Jesus, since you love me,
O spread your wings above me
and shield me from alarm.
Though Satan would assail me,
your mercy will not fail me;
I rest in your protecting arm.

4 My loved ones, rest securely,
for God this night will surely
from peril guard your heads.
Sweet slumbers may he send you
and bid his hosts attend you
and through the night watch o'er your beds.

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #794

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Author: Paul Gerhardt

Paul Gerhardt (b. Gräfenheinichen, Saxony, Germany, 1607; d. Lubben, Germany, 1676), famous author of Lutheran evangelical hymns, studied theology and hymnody at the University of Wittenberg and then was a tutor in Berlin, where he became friends with Johann Crüger. He served the Lutheran parish of Mittenwalde near Berlin (1651-1657) and the great St. Nicholas' Church in Berlin (1657-1666). Friederich William, the Calvinist elector, had issued an edict that forbade the various Protestant groups to fight each other. Although Gerhardt did not want strife between the churches, he refused to comply with the edict because he thought it opposed the Lutheran "Formula of Concord," which condemned some Calvinist doctrines. Consequently, he was r… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Now rest beneath night's shadow The woodland, field and meadow
Title:	Now Rest beneath Night's Shadow
German Title:	Nun ruhen alle Wälder
Author:	Paul Gerhardt
Meter:	7.7.6.7.7.8
Source:	Tr. composite, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941
Language:	English
Publication Date:	1978
Copyright:	Public Domain