O Saviour, Lord, To Thee We Pray

Words: From the Latin, translation by J. Copeland, alt. “The Compilers”

Tune: Wareham, W. Knapp, 1738
Meter: LM

Source: Hymns Ancient and Modern. London: William Clowes and Sons, Ltd., 1889, #63.

1. O Saviour, Lord, to Thee we pray,
Whose love has kept us safe to-day,
Protect us through the coming night,
And ever save us by Thy might.

2. Be with us now, in mercy nigh,
And spare Thy servants when they cry;
Our sins blot out, our prayers receive,
Thy light throughout our darkness give.

3. Let not dull sleep the soul oppress,
Nor secret foe the heart possess;
Our flesh keep chaste, that it may be
A holy temple meet for Thee.

4. To Thee, Who dost our hearts renew,
With fervent prayer we humbly sue,
That pure in thought and free from stain
We from our beds may rise again.

5. All praise to God, the Father be,
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
For ever and for evermore.

Note: The compilers included this hymn in their “Christmas” section, although it makes no reference to the birth of Christ. They note: “For a Late Evening Service.”

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