A CRY FOR REST
Lord, a whole long day of pain
Now at last is o'er!
Ah, how much we can sustain
I have felt once more;
Felt how frail are all our powers,
And how weak our trust;
If thou help not, those dark hours
Crush us to the dust.
Could I face the coming night
If thou went not near?
Nay, without Thy love and might
I must sink with fear:
Round me falls the evening gloom,
Sights and sounds all cease.
But within this narrow room
Night will bring no peace.
Other weary eyes may close.
All things seek their sleep;
Hither comes no soft repose,
I must wake and weep.
Come then, Jesus, o'er me bend.
Give me strength to cope
With my pain, and gently send
Thoughts of peace and hope.
Draw my weary heart away
From this gloom and strife,
And these fever pains allay
With the dew of life;
Thou canst calm the troubled mind;
Thou its dread canst still;
Teach me to be all resigned
To my Father's will.
Then if I must wake and weep
All the long night through,
Thou the watch with me wilt keep,
Friend and guardian true;
In the darkness thou wilt speak
Lovingly with me.
Though my heart may vainly seek
Words to breathe to thee.
Wheresoe'er my couch is made,
In thy hands I lie;
And to thee alone for aid
Turns my longing eye:
Let my prayer grow weary never.
Strengthen thou th' oppressed;
In thy shadow, Lord, for ever
Let me gently rest.
