Sun of My Soul- Hymn with Lyrics

1. Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear,
it is not night if Thou be near;
O may no earthborn cloud arise,
to hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes.

2. When the soft dews of kindly sleep
my weary eyelids gently steep,
be my last thought how sweet to rest
forever on my Savior's breast.

3. Abide with me from morn till eve,
for without Thee I cannot live;
abide with me when night is nigh,
for without Thee I dare not die.

4. If some poor wand'ring child of Thine
has spurned today the voice divine,
now, Lord, the gracious work begin;
let him no more lie down in sin.

5. Watch by the sick; enrich the poor
with blessings from Thy boundless store;
be every mourner's sleep tonight
like infant's slumbers, pure and light.

6. Come near and bless us when we wake,
ere through the world our way we take,
till in the ocean of Thy love
we lose ourselves in heav'n above.

Scripture; Genesis 28:11; Psalm 3:5; Psalm 4:8

The hymn "Sun of My Soul, Thou Savior Dear" was written by John Keble, an Anglican priest, poet, and leader in the Oxford Movement, in 1820. It became part of his famous work, The Christian Year, which was a collection of poems that aligned with the Anglican liturgical calendar, seeking to bring spiritual renewal and a deep sense of reverence to daily Christian life.

Background and Inspiration

John Keble wrote The Christian Year to inspire a stronger devotion among believers, especially within the Church of England, and to bring poetry and theology together in ways that connected faith to everyday life. "Sun of My Soul" was one of the most beloved poems in this collection, and it quickly gained popularity as a hymn for evening worship. Keble’s gentle and heartfelt verses reflect his love for Christ and convey a sense of intimacy and peace that is well-suited to the quiet end of the day.

The hymn itself is likely inspired by the verse from Luke 24:29, where two disciples ask Jesus, who has been walking with them, to stay: "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." In this hymn, Jesus is invoked as the “Sun” of the soul, an image that evokes both His light and warmth as well as His presence as a guide and comforter. Keble uses this metaphor to express how Christ’s presence dispels darkness, both literally and spiritually, and brings peace to those who follow Him.