Abide With Me
Thomas Kinkade Lyrics
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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
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
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
In this hymn, Thomas Kinkade is essentially asking for God to stay with him through the good times and the bad. The opening line, "Abide with me; fast falls the eventide," sets the scene of the sun setting and darkness approaching, which could also represent the difficult times in life. Kinkade acknowledges that the darkness is deepening, but asks that God stays with him through this time. He recognizes that other helpers and comforts may fail, but God is the help of the helpless.
Kinkade reflects on the fleeting nature of life, recognizing that earth's joys grow dim and its glories pass away. Everything around him is subject to change and decay, but God is unchanging. He recognizes his constant need for God's presence every passing hour, acknowledging that only God's grace can foil the tempter's power. In a world full of uncertainties and changing circumstances, there is no one who can guide and stay with him like God can.
In the final stanza, Kinkade expresses his confidence and trust in God. With God at hand to bless, he fears no foe and finds that even ills have no weight and tears no bitterness when God is with him. Death and the grave have no victory, as Kinkade triumphs still when God abides with him. He asks that God hold His cross before his closing eyes, shining through the gloom and pointing him to the skies. In life and in death, Kinkade concludes, he desires nothing more than for God to abide with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide
Stay with me Lord, as the evening comes quickly.
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide
As the darkness grows stronger, be with me Lord.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
When all other helpers and comforts leave me,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
You are my only hope, so be with me Lord.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
My life is short and quickly coming to an end.
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Everything on this earth fades away with time.
Change and decay in all around I see
The world is changing and everything is falling apart.
O Thou who changest not, abide with me
Lord, you are the only constant in my life, so be with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour
I need you Lord to be with me every moment.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Your grace is the only thing that can defeat the temptations I face.
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Who else can be my protector and guide like you Lord?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me
Whether good or bad, be with me Lord through it all.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
With you Lord by my side, I have no fear of any enemy.
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Pain and sadness are not as heavy with you Lord comforting me.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
Death has no power over me, and the grave has been defeated.
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Despite everything, I will still be victorious with you Lord by my side.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
At the end of my life, let me see your cross.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Give me hope and guide me towards heaven.
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
Let your light shine and chase away the darkness on this earth.
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Be with me Lord, both in life and in death.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Carroll, Henry Lyte, William Henry Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind