Scripture Verse

The darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. Psalm 139:12

Introduction

portrait
Adam Krieger (1634-1666)

Words: Jo­hann F. Hert­zog, 1670, alt. (Nun sich der Tag ge­end­et hat). Hert­zog wrote these words while a stu­dent in Wit­ten­berg, Ger­ma­ny. Com­po­site trans­la­tion; trans­lat­or of stan­za 9 un­known, 1693.

Music: Ad­am Krieg­er, 1667 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Hert­zog (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Now that the day hath reached its close,
The sun doth shine no more;
In sleep the toil-worn find repose
And all who wept be­fore.

But Thou, my God, dost nev­er sleep,
For Thou Thy­self art Light;
No dark­ness, how­so­ev­er deep,
Can dim Thy per­fect sight.

Therefore, O Lord, re­mem­ber me
Thro’-out the gloom of night.
Protect Thou me most gra­cious­ly
And shield me with Thy might.

Keep Sa­tan’s fu­ry far from me
By ma­ny an an­gel arm;
Then shall I be from wor­ry free
And safe from ev­ery harm.

I know the ev­il I have done
Doth cry aloud to Thee;
But yet in mer­cy Thy dear Son
Hath full atoned for me.

In Him ac­cept­ed I shall be
When sup­pli­ant at Thy feet.
He is my sure­ty and my plea
Before Thy judg­ment seat.

And so I close my wea­ry eyes,
Sweet peace with­in my breast.
Why toss about in fears or sighs?
God watch­es while I rest.

Should this night prove the last for me
In this sad vale of cares,
Then lead me, Lord, to dwell with Thee
And all Thy chosen heirs.

And thus I live and die to Thee,
Strong Lord of hosts indeed.
In life, in death, deliver me
From every fear and need.