God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven

God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven

Stanza 1 written by Reginald Heber (1783-1826), Stanzas 2 & 4 written by William Mercer (1811-1873), Stanza 3 written by Richard Whately (1787-1863)

Sung to AR HYD Y NOS, a Welsh melody

Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

V. 1 God, who made the earth and heaven,

Darkness and light:

You the day for work have given,

For rest the night.

May Your angel guards defend us,

Slumber sweet Your mercy send us,

Holy dreams and hopes attend us

All through the night.

Deuteronomy 33:25 The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze,

and your strength will equal your days.

V. 2 And when morn again shall call us

To run life's way,

May we still, whate'er befall us,

Your will obey.

From the pow'r of evil hide us,

In the narrow pathway guide us,

Never be Your smile denied us

All through the day.

V. 3 Guard us waking, guard us sleeping,

And, when we die,

May we in Your mighty keeping

All peaceful lie.

When the trumpet call shall wake us,

Then, O Lord, do not forsake us,

But to reign in glory take us

With You on high.

V. 4 Holy Father, throned in heaven,

All-holy Son,

Holy Spirit, freely given, 

Blest Three in One:

Grant us grace, we now implore You,

Till we lay our crowns before YOu

And in worthier strains adore You

While ages run.