I would like to share a hymn I really like but which is not well-known or sung very often. If you want to know what it sounds like you can go here. There are more verses to the song on that website than I include here. Even more information can be found here. I think it interesting how those sites say the author was dying of tuberculosis when he wrote this. I like this hymn because it shows me a deep desire for God’s presence and reminds me of the comfort of that presence, no matter what the circumstances of life. I especially like the first and last verses.
Abide With Me
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, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs 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, but Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O 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.