56 - The Day Thou Gavest

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended;
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended;
Thy praise shall hallow now our rest.
2
We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
3
As o'er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor die the strains of praise away.
4
So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,
Like earth's proud empires, pass away.
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.