Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By Psalms and Hymns. VIII. Abide with meHenry Francis Lyte (17931847)
A
The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
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!
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free,
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me!
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!
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!
What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!
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.
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!