When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems 1740, page 131. At Lying Down.
Music: Rest (Bradbury) William B. Bradbury, 1843 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
How do Thy mercies close me round!
For ever be Thy name adored!
I blush in all things to abound;
The servant is above his Lord.
Inured to poverty and pain,
A suffering life my master led,
The Son of God, the Son of man,
He had not where to lay His head.
But lo! A place He hath prepared
For me, whom watchful angels keep;
Nay, He Himself becomes my guard,
He smoothes my bed, and gives me sleep.
Jesus protects; my fears be gone!
What can the Rock of Ages move?
Safe in Thy arms I lay me down,
Thy everlasting arms of love!
While Thou art intimately nigh,
Who, who shall violate my rest?
Sin, earth, and hell I now defy,
I lean upon my Savior’s breast.
I rest beneath th’Almighty’s shade;
My griefs expire, my troubles cease;
Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,
Wilt keep me still in perfect peace.
Me for Thine own Thou lov’st to take,
In time, and in eternity;
Thou never, never wilt forsake
A helpless worm that trusts in Thee.
Wherefore in confidence I close
My eyes, for Thine are open still;
My spirit lulled in calm repose,
Waits for the counsels of Thy will.
After Thy likeness let me rise,
If here Thou will’st my longer stay,
Or close in mortal sleep my eyes,
To open them in endless day.
Still let me run, or end my race;
I cannot choose, I all resign;
Contract or lengthen out my days;
Come life, come death; for Christ is mine.