Now rest beneath night's shadows

1 Now rest beneath night's shadows,
Man, beast, town, woods and meadows,
The world in slumber lies;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake thee,
Let praise to thy Creator rise.

2 O sun, where art thou vanished?
The night Thy reign hath banished,
The foe of day, the night.
Farewell, for now appeareth
Another Sun and cheereth
My heart--'tis Jesus Christ, my Light!

3 The last faint beam is going,
The golden stars are glowing
In yonder dark-blue deep;
Such is the glory given,
When called of God to heaven,
On earth no more we pine and weep.

4 To rest my body hasteth,
Aside its garments casteth,
Types of mortality;
These I put off and ponder
How Christ shall give me yonder
A robe of glorious majesty.

5 Head, hands, and feet reposing
Are glad the day is closing,
That work came to an end;
Cheer up my heart, with gladness!
For God from all earth's sadness
And from sin's toil relief will send.

6 Ye weary limbs! now rest you,
For toil hath sore oppressed you,
And quiet sleep ye crave;
A sleep shall once o'ertake you
From which no man can wake you,
In your last narrow bed--the grave.

7 My heavy eyes are closing:
When I lie deep reposing,
Soul, body, where are ye?
To helpless sleep I yield them,
O let Thy mercy shield them,
Thou sleepless Eye, their Guardian be!

8 Lord Jesus, who dost love me,
O spread Thy wings above me,
And shield me from alarm!
Though Satan would devour me;
Let angel-guards sing o'er me:
"This child of God shall meet no harm!"