"Behold, God my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God
is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.
(Isaiah 12:2)
Abide with me!
Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness thickens.
Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail,
And comforts flee,
Help of the helpless,
O abide with me!
Swift to its close
Ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim,
In glories pass away;
Change and decay
In all around I see;
O Thou who changest not,
Abide with me!
Not a brief glance
I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell'st
With Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending,
Patient, free
Come not to sojourn,
But abide with me.
Come not in terrors,
As the King of kings,
But kind and good,
With healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes,
A heart for every plea,
Come, friend of sinners,
And abide with me.
Thou on my head
In early youth didst smile;
And though rebellious
And perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me,
Oft as I left Thee,
On to the close,
O Lord abide with me!
I need Thy presence
Every passing hour.
What but Thy grace
Can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself
My guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine,
O abide with me!
I fear no foe
With Thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight,
And tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still,
If Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross
Before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom,
And point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks,
And earth's vain shadows flee:
In life, in death,
O Lord, abide with me!
"Abide With Me"
(1847)
Henry Francis Lyte
(1793-1847)
Anglican Divine, hymnodist,
and poet.
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