The Evening Prayer by Sabine Baring-Gould
The work is a traditional evening prayer that reflects a deep sense of faith and reliance on divine protection. It begins with a blessing for the bed, invoking the names of the four Gospel writers, symbolizing a spiritual safeguard for the individual as they prepare for sleep. The imagery of angels positioned at the head and foot of the bed emphasizes a protective presence, ensuring safety during the night. The prayer progresses through the days of the week, each day marked by a specific invocation or reminder of Christ's significance and the moral conduct expected of believers. Each stanza serves as a meditation on the themes of sin, redemption, and the importance of maintaining a righteous path. The references to Christ's sacrifice on Friday and the joy of salvation on Thursday highlight the central tenets of Christian faith. As the prayer concludes, it expresses a desire for a peaceful night's rest, acknowledging the uncertainty of waking. The final lines encapsulate a profound trust in God, affirming the hope for eternal salvation. The overall tone is one of humility, reverence, and a yearning for divine grace, making it a poignant reflection on the relationship between the believer and the divine.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1910 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Literature, Devotional Literature · 258 words
First lines
C. J. S. [Music]
1. Matthew, Mark and Luke and John / Bless the bed that I lie on. / Four angels to my bed / Two to bottom, two to head, / Two to hear me when I pray, / Two to bear my soul away.
2. Monday morn the week begin, / Christ deliver our souls from sin. / Tuesday morn, nor curse nor swear, / Christes Body that will tear. / Wednesday, middle of the week, / Woe to the soul Christ does not seek.
3. Thursday morn, Saint Peter wrote / Joy to the soul that heaven hath bote, / Friday Christ died on the tree / To save other men as well as me. / Saturday, sure, the evening dead, / Sunday morn, the Book's outspread.
What this Textopian page supports
The Evening Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Literature, Devotional Literature, Lyrical Poetry, Children's Literature
- Length: 258 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Evening Prayer by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work consists of prayers and reflections that express spiritual themes and religious devotion.
- Spiritual Literature — The text explores themes of faith, prayer, and the relationship between the divine and the individual.
- Devotional Literature — The content serves as a guide for personal devotion and prayer practices.
- Lyrical Poetry — The rhythmic and structured format of the text aligns with poetic conventions.
Tags
prayer · Christianity · spirituality · bedtime · angels · faith · soul · blessing · weekly · hymn · devotion · meditation