Abide With Me
Mahalia Jackson/Percy Faith Lyrics
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The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, 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.
Mahalia Jackson's "Abide with Me" is a powerful hymn about seeking the presence of God in times of darkness and trouble. The lyrics speak to the idea of experiencing the changing nature of life and the inevitability of death, and ultimately finding peace and strength in the constant and unchanging love of God.
The song begins with the line "Abide with me; fast falls the eventide," which sets the tone for the rest of the hymn. The idea of "eventide" suggests a time of darkness and uncertainty, and the singer is calling out to God to be present with them in this difficult moment. The second verse speaks to the fleeting nature of life's joys and earthly glories, positioning them against the constancy of God's presence. The third verse speaks to the need for a deep, abiding relationship with God, one that is intimate and free from fear or judgment.
The fourth verse addresses God as a "Friend of sinners" and speaks to the idea of God's healing power in our lives. The fifth verse is a personal confession, highlighting the singer's own shortcomings and flaws, but expressing a deep desire for God to remain present with them in spite of their failings. The sixth verse acknowledges the ongoing need for God's help and guidance in our lives, recognizing that it is only through God's grace that we can overcome the temptations of the world.
The seventh verse speaks to the power of God's presence in conquering our fears and granting us peace, while the eighth verse suggests that even in death, God's presence is a source of comfort and strength. The final verse paints a picture of the singer's own death, with the hope that God will shine a light through the darkness and guide them towards eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
Stay with me Lord, as the evening is coming fast
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
As the darkness of the night grows stronger, stay with me my Lord.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
When all other sources of help fail, and comfort becomes elusive,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
You, who are the only help for the helpless, stay with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Life's short span is quickly coming to an end
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
The joys and glories of the earth fade away
Change and decay in all around I see;
Everything around me is constantly changing and deteriorating
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
You, who are the unchanging one, stay with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
I'm not asking for a quick glance or temporary relief
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
But for you to dwell with me, like you did with your disciples
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Being familiar, kind, patient and free with me.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Don't just visit me temporarily, but stay with me permanently.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
Don't come to me in great fear like a powerful king,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
But come to me with kindness, goodness, and with the power to heal;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
With tears for all sufferings, and a listening ear for every request.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
Come my savior, the friend of sinners, please stay with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
You smiled on me when I was young
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Even when I was rebellious and stubborn,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
You never abandoned me, even when I left you many times.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
So please stay with me until the end, my Lord.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
I need you to be with me every hour of every day.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Only your grace can prevent the temptation from overtaking me.
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Who else can be my guide and support, like you do?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
So whatever may happen, be it sunshine or rain, please stay with me my Lord.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
With you by my side, I'm not afraid of any enemy.
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
The troubles that come my way have no impact on me, and the tears I cry do not taste bitter.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
Death can't hurt me, and you, O grave, where is your victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
I still win regardless, as long as you stay with me.
Hold thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
As I approach the end of life, please show me your cross.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Shine your light through the darkness and guide me to the heavens.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
The morning of heaven is coming, and all the worldly troubles will eventually disappear
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
So, in both life and death, stay with me Lord.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jimmy Carroll, Henry Lyte, William Henry Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind