James Edmeston (1791–1867)

SAVIOUR, breathe an evening blessing,

Ere repose our spirits seal;

Sin and want we come confessing,

Thou canst save, and Thou canst heal;

Though destruction walk around us,

Though the arrow past us fly,

Angel-guards from Thee surround us;

We are safe, if Thou art nigh.

Though the night be dark and dreary,

Darkness cannot hide from Thee;

Thou art HE, who, never weary,

Watchest where Thy people be:

Should swift death this night o’ertake us,

And our couch become our tomb,

May the morn in heaven awake us,

Clad in light and deathless bloom.