The Cyber Hymnal ‎#1158

1158. Darkness Overspreads Us Here

1. Darkness overspreads us here,
But the night wears fast away;
Jacob’s star will soon appear,
Leading on eternal day!
Now ’tis time to rouse from sleep,
Trim our lamps and stand prepared;
For our Lord strict watch to keep,
Lest He find us off our guard.

2. Let His people courage take,
Bear with a submissive mind
All they suffer for His sake,
Rich amends they soon will find:
He will wipe away their tears,
Near Himself appoint their lot;
All their sorrows, pains and fears,
Quickly then wilt be forgot.

3. Though already saved, by grace,
From the hour we first believed;
Yet while sin and war have place,
We have but a part received:
Still we for salvation wait,
Every hour it nearer comes!
Death will break the prison gate,
And admit us to our homes.

4. Sinners, what can you expect?
You who now the Savior dare;
Break His laws, His grace reject,
You must stand before His bar!
Tremble, lest He say, Depart!
Oh, the horrors of that sound!
Lord, make every careless heart,
Seek Thee while Thou may’st be found.

Text Information

• First Line: Darkness overspreads us here
• Title: Darkness Overspreads Us Here
• Author: John Newton (1779)
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns, (London: W. Oliver, 1779), number 127
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: CULFORD, Edward J. Hopkins, 1867; ROLAND, Caleb Simper, 1856-1942; ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR, George J. Elvey, 1858

Tune Information

• Name: GUIDE
• Composer: Marcus Morris Wells (1858)
• Incipit: 55113 21233 51712
• Key: G Major
• Copyright: Public Domain