The Lord is our defense.
Psalm 89:18
Words: Unknown author, 12th Century (Salvator mundi Domine). Translated from Latin to English by William J. Copeland & the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern.
Music: Wareham William Knapp, 1738 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Copeland (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O Savior, Lord, to Thee we pray,
Whose love has kept us safe today,
Protect us through the coming night,
And ever save us by Thy might.
Be with us now, in mercy nigh,
And spare Thy servants when they cry;
Our sins blot out, our prayers receive,
Thy light throughout our darkness give.
Let not dull sleep the soul oppress,
Nor secret foe the heart possess;
Our flesh keep chaste, that it may be
A holy temple meet for Thee.
To Thee, who dost our hearts renew,
With fervent prayer we humbly sue,
That pure in thought and free from stain,
We from our beds may rise again.
All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.