HIRTE DEINER SCHAFE

Benjamin Schmolcke, 1715

Tr. H. Brueckner, 1918. 

 

Shepherd never sleeping, 

In Thy gracious keeping

I have been today.

Thou art my Defender,

So in mercy tender

Come and with me stay;

All this night

Keep me in sight,

Send Thine angels to attend me

And protection lend me.

While I lie and slumber,

Let Thine hosts outnumber

All my raging foes.

Be of grace the Giver,

And Thy child deliver

From guilt's painful throes.

For Thy Son

My soul hath won;

By His wounds, so sorely

stricken,

He my heart doth quicken.

Shield Thou from all danger

Ev'ry lonely stranger

And my dear ones, too.

Tenderly embrace us

And with mercy grace us,

Be our Father true.

Thou with me

And I with Thee,

Thus shall I, mine eyelids

closing,

Be in peace reposing.

Close the door behind us,

Let no evil find us,

Keep all ills away.

Be our shield and cover,

Let Thine angels hover

O'er us now, we pray.

By sweet rest

Let us be blest,

Ev'ry fear of Satan's raging

In our hearts assuaging.

What if death should take me

And no light awake me

From my sleep and rest?

If Thou hast intended

That my life be ended,

Let Thy name be blest;

As for me,

I yield to Thee.

In the wounds of Jesus lying,

I am daily dying.

By no cares encumbered,

Tough my hours be numbered,

I now fall asleep.

All to Thee commending

Who Thine hosts are sending

Watch o'er me to keep.

Through the night

Be my delight,

And if I should see the morrow,

Thou wilt cure all sorrow.

Modern Interpretation of this prayer:

Prayer for Wednesday Evening

Most Holy Trinity, One in essence, Three in person, who art my life, salvation, and eternal joy, I praise and thank Thee with mouth and heart that Thou hast so graciously protected me throughout this day.  I pray Thy divine goodness to cover up all my shortcomings, and especially where this day, with my tongue with vain and unprofitable words, slander and otherwise, I have sinned against Thee and Thy holy commandments.  According to Thy name, O God, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth:  Thy right hand is full of righteousness.  Therefore I commend my body and my soul into Thy hands.  Thy divine Majesty bless me; Thy holy Trinity shelter me; Thy eternal Unity preserve me.  May Thy unbounded mercy protect me; Thy inexpressible benevolence defend me, the sublime truth of God cover me; profound knowledge of Christ strengthen me; the unfathamable goodness of the Lord keep me.  The grace of the Father govern me; the wisdom of the Son refresh me; the power of the Holy Spirit enlighten me.  My Creator aid me, my Redeemer quicken me, my Comforter abide with me.  The Lord bless me and keep me.  The Lord make His face shine upon me and be gracious unto me.  The Lord lift up His countenance upon me and give me peace.  The protection and blessing of the one and eternal Godhead be between me and all mine enemies, visible and invisible, today, and always, that they may not approach nor injure me.  As the pillar of the cloud went between the army of the Egyptians and the army of Israel, so that they could not come together, and no harm befall the children of Israel, so mayest Thou be a pillar of fire and a wall of separation between me and mine enemies, that no harm come over me.  Keep me also in my last hour.  When mine eyes no longer see, mine ears no longer hear, my tongue no longer speak, be Thou with me, O blessed Trinity, that the Evil One have no power over me.  Amen.

From the book: 

Morning and Evening Prayers

for All Days of the Week 

Together With Confessional, Communion, and Other....

Author: Johann Habermann