Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#310

310. Now all the woods are sleeping

1 Now all the woods are sleeping,
And night and stillness creeping
O’er city, man, and beast;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To pray'r awhile betake thee,
And praise thy Maker ere thou rest.

2 O sun! where art thou vanished?
The night thy light hath banished--
The ancient foe, the night;
God then 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 the body hasteth,
Itself of clothes divesteth,
Type of mortality!
I'll put it off, and o'er me
Christ throw the robe of glory,
And blissful immortality!

5 Head, hands, and feet so tired
Are glad the day's expired,
That work comes to an end;
My heart, be filled with gladness
That God from all earth's sadness,
And from sin's toil relief will send.

6 Ye aching limbs! now rest you,
For toil hath sore oppressed you,
Lie down, my weary head;
A sleep shall once o'ertake you
From which earth ne'er shall wake you,
Within a cold and narrow bed.

7 Mine eyes scarce ope are keeping,
A moment, I'll be sleeping,
Soul, body,--fare ye well!
In grace Thy care then make them
May evil ne'er o'ertake them,
Thou Eye and Ward of Israel.

8 O Jesus, be my Cover!
And both Thy wings spread over
Thy child, and shield Thou me!
Though Satan would devour me,
Let angels ever o'er me
Sing, "This child shall uninjured be!"

9 My loved ones, rest securely,--
From every evil surely
Our God will guard your heads;
And happy slumbers send you,
And bid His hosts attend you,
And golden-armed watch o'er your beds.

Text Information

• First Line: Now all the woods are sleeping
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1648)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1856)
• Meter: No. 34
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: Evening
• Notes: Alternate Tune: INNSPRUCK (New), #51; From the German text: Nun ruhen alle Waelder

Tune Information

• Name: INNSPRUCK
• Composer: Heinrich Isaac (ca. 1450)
• Adapter: Bartholomäus Gesius (1605)
• Meter: No. 34
• Key: F Major