Softly Now the Day Is Ending
EVEN SONG8.8.7.8.8.7
Words: Thomas Hansen KingoTranslated by Jens Christian Aaberg, 1927Music: EVEN SONG, Andreas Peter Berggreen, 1852
Practice player: melody only, played by your browser. The intro is the closing line of the tune, as many churches play it. Melody from the Open Hymnal Project (public domain).
Words
Softly now the day is ending,
Night o'er hill and vale descending;
I will kneel before Thee, Lord.
Unto Thee my thanks I render
That Thou didst, in mercy tender
Life and peace to me accord.
May Thy church Thy peace inherit;
Guide our leaders by Thy Spirit;
Give our country strength and peace.
To the sinner, sad and dreary,
To each Christian, faint or weary,
Give Thou solace and surcease.
Keep me, Jesus, while I slumber,
From my perils without number;
Shield me, Master, in Thy might,
That, released from sin and sorrow,
I may sing this song tomorrow:
Jesus was my Sun this night.
Scripture
The Bible passages this hymn draws on, in the King James Version.
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Related hymns
- Our God, Our Help in Ages PastOur God, our help in ages past
- The God of Abraham PraiseThe God of Abr'ham praise
- All Praise to Thee, My God, This NightAll praise to Thee, my God, this night
- Be Still, My SoulBe still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side
- Come, Ye DisconsolateCome, ye disconsolate, wher'er ye languish
- God Will Take Care of YouBe not dismayed whate'er betide