The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#AIV

AIV. Now rest beneath night's shadow

1 Now rest beneath night's shadow
The woodland, field, and meadow,
The world in slumber lies;
But thou, my heart, awake thee,
To prayer and song betake Thee,
Let praise to thy Creator rise.

2 To rest the 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 My loved ones, rest securely,
For God this night will surely
From peril guard your heads;
Sweet slumbers may He send you,
And bid His hosts attend you,
And through the night watch o'er your beds.

Text Information

• First Line: Now rest beneath night's shadow
• Author: P. Gerhardt (1646)
• Meter: 7, 7, 6, 7, 7, 8.
• Publication Date: 1913

Tune Information

• Name: [Now rest beneath night's shadow]
• Composer: Heinrich isaac (1490)
• Meter: 7, 7, 6, 7, 7, 8.
• Key: F Major
• Notes: Older form