Be near us, O Father! through night’s silent hour;
Impart to our slumbers Thy calmness divine;
Drop rest on our lids like the dew on the flower,
That even our still sleep may have something of Thine.
O watch o’er our couch; drive the tempter away;
From the sins that corrupt and betray keep us free;
That nor fancy shall wander, nor passion shall stray,
And we dream not a thought that’s displeasing to Thee.
And grant, when deep sleep o’er our senses shall close,
That the heart may still watch, all unclouded and clear;
Guard, guard still Thy children; and bless the repose
That, stainless of sin, is untouched by a fear.
Then still to Thee, Father, our praises we pay;
Still to Thee we will offer love’s infinite store;
Send down Thy pure spirit, even now while we pray;
Be with us, and keep us, and bless, evermore!
Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #556