Looking up some of the old liturgies has some wonderful benefits. Today I stumbled upon an Ancient hymn (Te lucis ante terminum) that is apparently sung at the day's end (Compline for the liturgists among you). Among its many brilliances are the way it considers such ordinary things as nightmares as something worthy of our great high King's ear. Tis very much in line with Philippians 4. The other thing of course is in the way in effortlessly models the biblical way to pray (to the Father, through the Son by the Spirit) and then there are the thoughtful grammatical touches like the recurring rhyme which is a great help for those of us with poor memory. All in all a good way to end the day.
Te lucis ante terminum (To thee before the close of day)
To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with thy wonted favour, thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.
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