Day had softly faded
In the golden west,
Jacob, sad and lonely,
Laid him down to rest;
Tho’ a stone his pillow,
Soon he calmly slept,
While the stars above him
Silent vigil kept.

Refrain

O that night at Bethel!
Bright with joy its holy beam;
There his soul uplifted,
Heard the voice of God in a dream.

On a wondrous ladder,
Reaching to the skies,
Angel forms descending,
Filled him with surprise;
From its lofty summit,
Came the words divine:
I, the Lord, have promised,
Lo, this land is thine.

Refrain

Far from home and kindred,
In that lonely spot,
God was watching o’er him,
Yet he knew it not;
Thus the hand whose mercy
Governs all our ways,
Out of deepest trial,
Brings the highest praise.

Refrain