Now All the Woods Are Sleeping

Now All the Woods Are Sleeping

Text written by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

Sung to INNSBRUCK, attributed to Heinrich Isaak (c. 1450-c. 1527), arranged by J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Psalm 3:5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

V. 1 Now all the woods are sleeping,

And night and stillness creeping 

O'er city, man, and beast;

But thou, my heart, awake thee,

To pray'r awhile betake thee,

And praise thy Maker ere thou rest.

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

V. 2 My Jesus, stay Thou by me,

And let no foe come nigh me,

Safe sheltered by Thy wing;

But would the foe alarm me,

O let him never harm me,

But still Thine angels round me sing!

Psalm 121:5 The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

V. 3 My loved ones, rest securely,

From every peril surely

Our God will guard your heads;

And happy slumbers send you,

And bid His hosts attend you,

And golden-armed watch o'er your beds.