Now The Day Is Over
Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
Jesus, give the weary
Calm and sweet repose;
With Thy tenderest blessing
May our eyelids close.
When the morning wakens,
Then may I arise
Pure, and fresh, and sinless
In Thy holy eyes.
The Hymn: "Now The Day
Is Over" By: Sabine Baring-Could, 1865
Number 122 (In our book.)
Scriptures:
Psalm 73:28 Psalm
4:8
"But it is good for me
to draw near to God; "I will both
lie down in peace,
I have put my trust in
the Lord God, and sleep;
That I may declare all
Your Works". for You
alone, O Lord,
make
me dwell in safety."
This is a beautiful hymn, sometimes regarded as a children's
prayer to be sung as they bedded down for the night. As the sun sets on all the
day's activities, the desire is for rest, peace, and safety. Then, when day
breaks again, all is new and hope is for a better day than yesterday, where one
is found to be pure and sinless and to strive to continue this way.
As older people sang this song, and continue to sing it, they
also find within it a deeper meaning. They find themselves at the end of their
days, facing death. Day comes to stand for life. Night and shadows are now seen
as the time of their death which comes unannounced as a thief would steal
himself in. Now it becomes a prayer of hope. Hope that they will find a more
lasting peace, with Jesus' blessing, when they pass into the life to come.
Then, when life on earth is over, they can be found changed and standing before
the Lord in a place of safety, in a place where is found no more tears, death,
sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things are no more. q
Commentary
by Mike Helms