Scripture Verse

He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

Introduction

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Edward Caswall (1814–1878)
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: Ro­bert Bell­ar­mine, in the Ro­man Bre­vi­ary, 1632, as the Hymn at Lauds, on the Feast of the Ho­ly Guard­ian An­gels (Ae­ter­ne rec­tor si­der­um). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Ed­ward Cas­wall, Ly­ra Ca­tho­li­ca, 1849, pag­es 175–76.

Music: Cul­bach, from Heil­i­ge Seel­en­lust, by Jo­hann Scheff­ler, 1657 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Johann Scheffler
1624–1677

Lyrics

Ruler of the dread immense!
Maker of this mighty frame!
Whose eter­nal providence
Governs and upholds the same!

Low before Thy face we bend;
Hear our supplicating cries;
And Thy light eter­nal send,
With the freshly dawning skies.

King of kings! and Lord most high !
This of Thy dear love we pray—
May Thy guardian angel nigh
Keep us from all sin this day.

May he crush the deadly wiles
Of the envious Serpent’s art,
Ever spreading cunning toils
Round about the thoughtless heart.

May he scatter ruthless war,
Ere to this our shore it come;
Plague and famine drive afar;
Fix securely peace at home.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Everlasting Trinity!
Guard, by Thy angelic host,
Us, who put our trust in Thee.