I.

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.

2.

As thou hast given me strength upon the way,
So deign at evening to become my guest;
As thou hast shared the labors of the day,

So also deign to share and bless my rest.

3.

Fraught with rich blessing, breathing sweet repose,
The calm of evening settles on my breast;

If thou be with me when my labors close,
No more is needed to complete my rest.

4.

Come, then, O Lord, and deign to be my guest,
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!

5.

Bind up the wounds, assuage the aching smart
Left in my bosom from the day just past,
And let me, on a Father's loving heart,

Forget my griefs, and find sweet rest at last.

CARL JOHANN PHILIPP SPITTA, 1801-1859-
Tr. RICHARD MASSIE, 1800-1887.