Abide with Me is a Christian hymn by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte most often sung to English composer William Henry Monks tune entitled Eventide. Lyte wrote the poem in 1847 and set it to music while he lay dying from tuberculosis; he survived only a further three weeks after its completion. The hymn is a prayer for God to remain present with the speaker throughout life, through trials, and through death. The opening line alludes to Luke 24:29, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent: There are verses below that do no normally appear in most hymnals today, however are very powerful thus included. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out lifes little day; Earths joys grow dim; its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, But as Thou dwellst with Thy disciples, Lord, Familiar, condescending, patient, free. Come not to sojourn, but abide with me. Come not in terrors, as the King of kings, But kind and good, with healing in Thy Art Is Murder wings; Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea. Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me. Thou on my head in early youth didst smile, And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. On to the close, O Lord, abide with me. I need Thy presence every passing hour. What but Thy grace can foil the tempters power? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is deaths sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies. Heavens morning breaks, and earths vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. youtube/watch?v=Xdx3b6cIAc0
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 13:11:14 +0000
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