In the Night Season

Lord, give us rest! Night's shadows round us close, 
     Hushing the tumult of the voiceful day; 
Over our souls let thy divine repose 
               Assert its gentle sway.

The night is thine; its skies above us bent
     Glitter with worlds all fashioned by thy hand — 
The radiant armies of the firmament, 
               Marshaled at thy command.

Rank upon rank the shining squadrons press
     Through the far spaces which no eye can scan; 
Thy mercies, Lord, like them are numberless, 
               Showered upon sinful man!

We read thy record in the starry sky,
     Nor less we trace it in earth's lowliest flower; 
And, in adoring wonder, magnify
               Thy goodness and thy power.

Yet, when we view thy works, so vast, so fair,
     Till fails our vision in the distance dim, 
"Lord, what is man," we sob amid our prayer, 
               "That thou shouldst visit him?"

Formed in thine image, with thy glory crowned,
     O, let thy love our yearning spirits fill; 
And be our will, in all life's changes, found 
               Obedient to thy will!