07/01/2025
***HYMN HIGHLIGHT***
The words of "Abide With Me" were written by Henry Lyte. Its opening words are inspired by Luke 24:29. There are a couple of different versions for when and how it was written, but the most reliable is that He wrote it during the summer of 1847. Lyte was being forced to retire from the ministry due to his failing health. He preached his final sermon at Lower Brixham in Devonshore, England, on September 4 that year. A letter written to his daughter-in-law dated August 25, 1847 contained the text which claimed to have recently written.
The tune, EVENTIDE, was written by William H. Monk. The commonly told story about its composition is that Monk was part of the committee working on "Hymns Ancient and Modern" (published in 1861). It was decided to include Lyte's poem but there was not a tune that fit its message. Monk is said to have composed EVENTIDE in as few as ten minutes.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
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.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
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.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
