Abide with me

“Abide with me” is a great Anglican hymn written in 1847 by Henry F. Lyte. It is a comfort not only to sailors and those left at home, but to all those who - touched by the trials and difficulties common to this life - reach out to the One who has promised never to leave nor forsake His own.

Dear Lord, be with every one reading these words this morning. Forgive us our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and abide with us now, in the hour of need, and in the world to come. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. -Luke 24.29

Video

More hymns here.

Lyrics

      1. Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide;
  The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
  When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
  Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
  
      2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
  Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
  Change and decay in all around I see.
  O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!
  
      3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
  But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
  Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
  Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
  
      4. Come not in terror, as the King of kings,
  But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
  Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
  Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
  
      5. Thou on my head in every youth didst smile,
  And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
  Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
  On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
  
      6. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
  What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power?
  Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
  Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!
  
      7. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
  Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
  Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
  I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
  
      8. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,
  Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
  Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
  In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!