Nun ruhen alle Wälder

[139]Paul Gerhardt.1653.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

Now all the woods are sleeping,

And night and stillness creeping

O'er field and city, man and beast;

But thou, my heart, awake thee,

To prayer awhile betake thee,

And praise thy Maker ere thou rest.

O Sun, where art thou vanished?

The Night thy reign hath banished,

Thy ancient foe, the Night.

Farewell, a brighter glory

My Jesus sheddeth o'er me,

All clear within me shines His light.

The last faint beam is going,

The golden stars are glowing

In yonder dark-blue deep;

And such the glory given

When called of God to heaven,

On earth no more we pine and weep.

The body hastes to slumber,

These garments now but cumber;

And as I lay them by

I ponder how the spirit

Puts off the flesh t'inherit

A shining robe with Christ on high.

Now thought and labour ceases,

For Night the tired releases

And bids sweet rest begin:

My heart, there comes a morrow

Shall set thee free from sorrow

And all the dreary toil of sin.

Ye aching limbs! now rest you,

For toil hath sore oppressed you,

Lie down my weary head;

A sleep shall once o'ertake you

From which earth ne'er shall wake you,

Within a narrower, colder bed.

My heavy eyes are closing,

When I lie deep reposing --

O soul and body, where are ye?

To helpless sleep I yield them,

Oh let Thy mercy shield them,

Thou sleepless Eye, their guardian be!

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!

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.