Glory to Thee, my GOD, this night, For all the blessings of the light! Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, Beneath Thy own almighty wings. Forgive me, LORD, for Thy dear Son, The ill that I this day have done; That with the world, myself, and Thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. Teach me to live, that I may dread The grave as little as my bed; Teach me to die, that so I may Rise glorious at the awful day. O! may my soul on Thee repose, And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close -- Sleep, that may me more vigorous make, To serve my GOD when I awake! When in the night I sleepless lie, My soul with heavenly thoughts supply: Let no ill dreams disturb my rest, No powers of darkness me molest. Dull sleep! -- of sense me to deprive; I am but half my days alive. Thy faithful lovers, LORD, are grieved, To lie so long of Thee bereaved. But though sleep o'er my frailty reigns, Let it not hold me long in chains, And now and then let loose my heart, Till it an Hallelujah dart. The faster sleep the sense doth bind, The more unfetter'd is the mind: O may my soul, from matter free, Thy loveliness unclouded see! O when shall I, in endless day, For ever chase dark sleep away, And hymns with the supernal choir Incessant sing, and never tire! You, my blest Guardian, whilst I sleep, Close to my bed your vigils keep, Divine Love into me instil, Stop all the avenues of ill: Thought to thought with my soul converse, Celestial joys to me rehearse, Or in my stead, all the night long, Sing to my GOD a grateful song. Praise GOD, from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. |