Scripture Verse

God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28

Introduction

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George W. Doane
1799–1859

Words: George W. Doane, 1824.

Music: Sey­mour, from the op­e­ra Ob­er­on, by Carl M. von We­ber, 1826. Hen­ry W. Great­or­ex pub­lished it as a hymn tune in 1851 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
Carl M. von Weber
1786–1826

Lyrics

Softly now the light of day
Fades upon my sight away;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord, I would commune with Thee.

Thou, whose all pervading eye
Naught escapes, without, within,
Pardon each infirmity,
Open fault, and secret sin.

Soon for me the light of day
Shall forever pass away;
Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take me, Lord, to dwell with Thee.

Thou who, sinless, yet hast known
All of man’s infirmity;
Then, from Thine eternal throne,
Jesus, look with pitying eye.