All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

Thomas Ken (1637-1711) was an Anglican bishop.  In 1673 he wrote a Manual of Prayers for students at Winchester College.  The book contained a hymn for the morning, one for the evening, and one for midnight.  Students were encouraged to sing morning and evening hymns devoutly.  All three of the hymns concluded with the identical doxological stanza.  

1.  All praise to Thee, my God, this night

    For all the blessings of the light.

        Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,

        Beneath Thine own almighty wings.

2.  Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,

     The ill that I this day have done,

        That with the world, myself, and Thee,

        I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3.  Teach me to live that I may dread

     The grave as little as my bed.

        Teach me to die that so I may

        Rise glorious at the awesome day.

4.  O may my soul in Thee repose,

     And my sweet sleep mine eyelids close,

        Sleep that shall me more vig'rous make

        To serve my God when I awake.

5.  When in the night I sleepless lie,

     My soul with heav'nly thoughts supply;

        Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,

        No pow'rs of darkness me molest.

6.  Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

     Praise Him, all creatures here below;

        Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host:

        Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.