Savior, Again to Your Dear Name (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 534)
1 Savior, again to your dear name we raise
with one accord our parting hymn of praise;
once more we bless you ere our worship cease,
then, lowly bending, wait your word of peace.
2 Grant us your peace upon our homeward way;
with you began, with you shall end the day;
guard all the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
that in this house have called upon your name.
3 Grant us your peace, Lord, through the coming night;
for us transform its darkness into light.
Keep us from harm and danger till the dawn;
your evening presence promise to your own.
4 Grant us your peace throughout our earthly life,
our balm in sorrow, and our stay in strife;
then, when your voice shall bid our conflict cease,
call us, O Lord, to your eternal peace.
Text: John Ellerton: Music: Edward J. Hopkins; Public Domain
Devotion
Hymns appeal to us for different reasons. I love this one both for the words and because the vocal range is one that I can easily sing. It is pleasing when I can praise God and sound like I know what I am doing musically. Singing is a form of praise that we can do individually or as a congregation. This hymn, like others, is a form of prayer. The second through fourth verses ask for peace as we go home, throughout the night, and again for the coming day. Most of all, it reminds us of the promise of eternal life that is to come.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we know that you love hearing us praise you, even if our singing has some off-key notes. Help us to remember that what is in our hearts is most important to you, even if our vocal cords are not performing well. Amen.