The Hymnal 1982 46
The duteous day now closeth
- Tune
- o welt, ich muss dich lassen
- Author(s)
- Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676; Robert Seymour Bridges, 1844-1930
- Composer(s)
- Heinrich Isaac, 1450?-1517; Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
- Meter
- 7.7.6.7.7.8
- Text Source(s)
- Other translators also
More information available on ritesong or Hymnary.org.
1 The duteous day now closeth, each flower and tree reposeth, shade creeps o'er wild and wood: let us, as night is falling, on God our Maker calling, give thanks to him, the Giver good.
2 Now all the heavenly splendor breaks forth in starlight tender from myriad worlds unknown; and man, this marvel seeing, forget our selfish being for joy of beauty not our own.
3 Though long our mortal blindness has missed God's lovingkindness and plunged us into strife; yet when life's day is over, shall death's fair night discover the fields of everlasting life.