Now the Day Is Over (ELW 570)
1 Now the day is over;
night is drawing nigh;
shadows of the evening
steal across the sky.
2 Jesus, give the weary
calm and sweet repose;
with your tend’rest blessing
may our eyelids close.
3 Comfort ev’ry suff’rer
watching late in pain;
those who plan some evil,
from their sin restrain.
4 Through the long night-watches
may your angels spread
their bright wings above me,
watching round my bed.
5 When the morning wakens,
then may I arise
pure and fresh and sinless
in your holy eyes.
6 Glory to the Father,
glory to the Son,
and to you, blest Spirit,
while the ages run.
Devotion
This hymn has been one of my favorites through the years, especially when overseas as a Peace Corps Volunteer and a short and long term missionary. I use it often to close our Saturday night services of intercessory prayer and healing. Verse two reminds us that we can call on Jesus to give us calm and sweet repose, while the third verse asks for comfort for those suffering and restraint of those who plan evil. In the earlier red Service Book and Hymnal, a fourth verse spoke of guarding sailors tossed about on the sea. In all these verses we are asking for the protective action of God in both our own and others’ lives. Hymns like this work both as song and prayer for comfort and a reminder that the Lord is with us both in the day and night.
Prayer
Lord of night and day, grant us peace and comfort as we end our days in restful sleep. Let us awaken as new creations to know the possibility of your will in each new day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.