At Evening When the Sun Had Set

1. At even, when the sun had set,
The sick, O Lord, around you lay.
Oh, in what diverse pains they met!
Oh, with what joy they went away!
Once more 'tis eventide, and we
Opprest with various ills draw near.
What if your form we cannot see?
We know and feel you are still here.

2. O Savior Christ, our woes dispel,
For some are sick and some are sad,
And some have never loved you well,
And some have lost the love they had,
And some are pressed with worldly care,
And some are tried with sinful doubt,
And some such grievous passions tear,
As only you can cast them out—

3. And some have found the world is vain,
Yet on the world they still depend;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought in you a friend;
And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin,
And they who want to serve you best
Are conscious most of wrong within.

4. O Savior Christ, both God and man,
You had been troubled, tempted, tried;
Your kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds our shame would hide;
Your touch has still its ancient pow’r;
No word from you can fruitless fall;
Hear, in this solemn evening hour,
And in your mercy heal us all.


Source: Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship #74