Hymns and Sacred Poems (1749), Hymn 6: At Lying Down

Omnipresent God, whose aid
No one ever ask'd in vain,
Be this night about my bed,
Every evil thought restrain;
Lay Thy hand upon my soul,
God of my unguarded hours;
All mine enemies control,
Hell, and earth, and nature's powers.
At Lying Down.

Frail alas! my nature is,
Ever sinking into sin:
I cannot from sinning cease,
All unholy, all unclean;
Yet to Thee for help I seek,
Pefect, Lord, Thy strength in me;
I am strong, when I am weak,
Weak myself, but strong in Thee.

Keep me then, my Saviour, keep,
Till my soul is all renew'd;
Thou, whose eyelids never sleep,
Guard the future house of God;
Let not evil enter in,
Every selfish thought avert;
Stop the avenues of sin,
Keep the issues of my heart.

O Thou jealous God, come down,
God of spotless purity;
Claim, and seize me for Thine own,
Consecrate my heart to Thee.
Under Thy protection take,
Songs in the night season give;
Let me sleep to Thee, and wake,
Let me die to Thee, and live.

Only tell me I am Thine,
And Thou wilt not quit Thy right;
Answer me in dreams Divine;
Dreams, and visions of the night:
Bid my soul in sleep go on,
Restlessly its God desire,
Mourn for God in every groan,
God in every thought require.

Loose me from the chains of sense,
Set me from my body free,
Draw with stronger influence
My unfetter'd soul to Thee:
In me, Lord, Thyself reveal,
Fill me with a sweet surprise;
Let me Thee, when waking, feel,
Let me in Thine image rise.

Let me of Thy life partake;
Thy own holiness impart:
O that I might sweetly wake
With my Saviour in my heart!
O that I might know Thee mine,
O that I might Thee receive,
Only live the life Divine,
Only to Thy glory live!

Or if Thou my soul require,
Ere I see the morning light,
Grant me, Lord, my heart's desire,
Perfect me in love to-night;
Finish Thy great work of love,
Cut it short in righteousness;
Fit me for the realms above,
Change, and bid me die in peace.