This popular hymn was written by Scottish Anglican minister Henry Francis Lyte in 1847. The story goes that Henry was inspired to write this hymn after visiting a dying friend, who repeated the phrase " abide with me". Lyte said that this changed his outlook on life and death, and made it all the more real to him, as someone who suffered from ill health himself, dying later that year after completing the hymn. The hymn reflects the pain of death and desire for God's comfort, yet speaks of hope for the Christian, who knows that Jesus has defeated death and has hope in the afterlife with God.
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, oh, 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 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
Abide with me, abide with me
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