Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 557)
1 Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.
2 All praise to thee, who safe hast kept
and hast refreshed me while I slept.
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless light partake.
3 Lord, I my vows to thee renew.
Disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will;
and with thyself my spirit fill.
4 Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow’rs, with all their might,
in thy sole glory may unite.
5 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav’nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Text: Thomas Ken; Music: François H. Berthélémon; Public Domain
Devotion
Thomas Ken, an English cleric who was a chaplain at Winchester College, wrote three hymns to be used by the students throughout the day. For the morning, he wrote, “Awake my Soul and with the Sun.” He called for the students to sing the hymn we know as the Doxology (ELW 884) for noontime. And for the evening as the students retired, they sang, “All Praise to Thee, My God, This night.” (ELW 565) Both the morning and the evening songs also conclude with the words of the doxology. As you rose this morning did you greet the morning knowing that the God who created you, redeemed you, and made you holy will be with you as your daily stages run? Did you greet the morning Sun with praise to the one who keeps us safe? Did you remember the baptismal vow you made to worship with God’s holy people? Are you asking for God to direct and control this day?
Prayer
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below,
Praise God above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.