1. Now rest beneath night’s shadow
   The woodland, field, and meadow,
   The world in slumber lies;
   But thou, my heart, awake thee,
   To pray’r and song betake thee;
   Let praise to thy Creator rise.

2. O sun, where art thou vanished?
   Thy golden rays are banished
   By day’s old foe, the night;
   Farewell, for now appeareth
   Another Sun, and cheereth
   My heart—’tis Jesus Christ, my Light!

3. The day is now declining,
   The golden stars are shining
   In bluest heav’nly hall;
   Thus, thus shall be my splendor,
   When my God calls me yonder
   From this world’s sad and mournful vale.

4. To rest my body hasteth,
   Aside its garments casteth,
   Types of mortality;
   These I put off and ponder
   How Christ will give me yonder
   A robe of glorious majesty.

5. Head, hands, and feet reposing
   Are glad the day is closing,
   That work came to an end;
   Cheer up, my heart, with gladness!
   For God from all earth’s sadness
   And from sin’s toil relief will send.

6. Ye weary limbs! now rest you,
   For toil hath sore oppressed you,
   And quiet sleep ye crave!
   A sleep shall once o’ertake you
   From which no man can wake you,
   In your last narrow bed—the grave.

7. My heavy eyes are closing;
   When I lie deep reposing,
   Soul, body, where are ye?
   To helpless sleep I yield them,
   O let Thy mercy shield them,
   Thou sleepless Eye, their Guardian be!

8. Lord Jesus, Thou dost love me,
   Oh, spread Thy wings above me
   And shield me from alarm!
   Though Satan would devour me,
   Let angel-guards sing o’er me:
   “This child of God shall meet no harm!”

9. My loved ones, rest securely,
   For God this night will surely
   From peril guard your heads.
   Sweet slumbers may He send you,
   And bid His hosts attend you,
   And golden-armed, watch o’er your beds!

Nun ruhen alle Wälder
Paul Gerhardt, 1653
Tr. composite
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1930, No. 33, alt.