The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
Genesis 31:49
Words: Isabella S. Stevenson, 1869. She wrote this hymn after her brother was sent to South Africa for health reasons. It was sung on the HMS Bacchante, and published in the Manual of Common Prayer at Sea, 1886.
Music: Cairnbrook Ebenezer Prout, in the Congregational Church Hymnal, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good picture of Stevenson or Prout (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Holy Father, in Thy mercy,
Hear our anxious prayer.
Keep our loved ones, now far distant,
’Neath Thy care.
Jesus, Savior, let Thy presence
Be their light and guide;
Keep, oh, keep them, in their weakness,
At Thy side.
When in sorrow, when in danger,
When in loneliness,
In Thy love look down and comfort
Their distress.
May the joy of Thy salvation
Be their strength and stay;
May they love and may they praise Thee
Day by day.
Holy Spirit, let Thy teaching
Sanctify their life;
Send Thy grace, that they may conquer
In the strife.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God the One in Three,
Bless them, guide them, save them, keep them
Near to Thee.