Zinzendorff and Other Poems/Prisoners' Evening Hymn
PRISONERS' EVENING HYMN.
Written for the Females in the Connecticut State Prison.
The silent curtains of the night
Each lonely cell surround,
God's dwelling is in perfect light,
His mercy hath no bound.
Still on the sinful and the vile
His daily bounties fall,
Still comes the sun with cheerful smile
Dispensing good to all.
The way of wickedness is hard,
Its bitter fruits we know,
Shame in this world is its reward,
And in the future, woe.
Oh Thou! who see'st us while we pay
The penance of our guilt,
Cast not our souls condemn'd away,
Christ's blood for us was spilt.
Deep root within a heart subdued
May true repentance take,
And be its fruits a life renew'd,
For the Redeemer's sake.
Uplift our spirits from the ground,
Give to our darkness, light,
Oh Thou! whose mercies have no bound,
Preserve us safe this night.