night peace

This was the view in my back yard the other night.  I ended the day with a sigh, and breathed in the peace of the world around me.  Some of it even soaked through to my insides, and I did praise God with a vague feeling of exhausted gratitude.  Sometimes, other people's words can better express a prayer.

"All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night"

By Thomas Ken, 1633-1711

1. All praise to Thee, my God, this night

For all the blessings of the light.

Keep me, oh, keep me, King of kings,

Beneath Thy own almighty wings.

2. Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,

The ill that I this day have done

That with the world, myself and Thee,

I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3. Teach me to live that I may dread

The grave as little as my bed.

Teach me to die that so I may

Rise glorious at the awe-ful Day.

My blessed backyard.

4. Oh, may my soul on Thee repose,

And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close,

Sleep that shall me more vigorous make

To serve my God when I awake.

5. When in the night I sleepless lie,

My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;

Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,

No powers of darkness me molest.

6. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Hymn #558 from The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal

Text: Ps. 91:4

Author: Thomas Ken, 1695, cento

First Tune, Composer: Thomas Tallis, c. 1567

First Tune: "Tallis' Canon"

Second Tune, Composer: Charles F. Gounod, 1893, arr.

Second Tune: "Evening Hymn"