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Evening
(C. J. P. Spitta)
O LORD, who by Thy presence hast made light | |
| The heat and burden of the toilsome day, | |
| Be with me also in the silent night, | |
| Be with me when the daylight fades away. | |
| As Thou hast given me strength upon the way, | 5 |
| So deign at evening to become my guest; | |
| As Thou hast shared the labours of the day, | |
| So also deign to share and bless my rest. | |
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| No step disturbs me, not a sound is heard, | |
| I commune in my chamber and am still, | 10 |
| And muse with deep attention on Thy word, | |
| The faithful record of Thy mind and will. | |
| O speak a word of blessing, gracious Lord, | |
| Thy blessing is endued with soothing power; | |
| On the poor heart, worn out with toil, Thy word | 15 |
| Falls soft and gentle as an evening shower. | |
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| How sad and cold, if Thou be absent, Lord, | |
| The evening leaves me, and my heart how dead! | |
| But, if Thy presence grace my humble board, | |
| I seem with heavenly manna to be fed; | 20 |
| Fraught with rich blessing, breathing sweet repose, | |
| The calm of evening settles on my breast; | |
| If Thou be with me when my labours close, | |
| No more is needed to complete my rest. | |
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| Come then, O Lord, and deign to be my guest | 25 |
| After the day’s confusion, toil, and din; | |
| O come to bring me peace, and joy, and rest, | |
| To give salvation, and to pardon sin. | |
| Bind up the wounds, assuage the aching smart | |
| Left in my bosom from the day just past, | 30 |
| And let me, on a Father’s loving heart, | |
| Forget my griefs, and find sweet rest at last. | |
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