Abide with me: fast falls the even-tide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O 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 power?
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;
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Henry Francis Lyte

Copied from my grandmother’s hymnal, Hymn Book, Methodist Episcopal Church, South: Nashville, TN, 1901, Hymn #828.

I planned this song months ago for this week, not knowing what would happen in our family. My son Bobby (22) was late getting to work the other day because of a traffic accident. A couple hours later he learned that his dear friend Josh (19) was killed in that accident. He lives hundreds of miles from us, and he’s been on the phone with both his dad and me each day this week, leaning heavily on us as he reels from the shock. We’re shocked too, to hear of the passing of one so young. But I rejoice that we all can lean on the everlasting arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loves us, and He took away the sting of death by His death and resurrection.

Whatever trial you are going through at this time, read the words to this hymn again, and find comfort. Read it as a prayer; make it yours. God’s grace is sufficient, no matter what our need.

Note: The hymns in this hymnal are not titled. So when I do not know the hymn, I make up a title or simply use the first line.

Photo taken in Milton, FL, 2021

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