This is part six in a series on the song “Abide with Me.” Read the previous parts first: part one, part two, part three, part four, and part five.
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.
Henry Francis Lyte, 1847
This is my last post on the song “Abide with Me.” I hope you have enjoyed the Bible verses that go with each stanza of the song. When I can recall Bible verses that go with the lyrics of a song, it make the song that much more powerful, that I am actually singing words approved by God.
“Abide with Me” is as much a song about life as it is about death. But this last verse conjures up images of dying more than the others. “Closing eyes,” “point me to the skies,” and “heaven’s morning breaks” makes you think of dying and going to heaven. What a comfort these lyrics must be to someone who knows they are near death. And perhaps a comfort to those that are grieving, to know that God is here with us, while also being with those we have lost.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Can you imagine, on your last days looking at the cross? What a beautiful image. It reminds me of Hebrews 12, where we’re told to lay aside all the weights and sins that entangle us and look unto Jesus. If we do that on our regular days, then surely we’ll be looking to Jesus on our last days.
I love the picture of God shining. His light will always beat out the darkness. I pray we are always looking for the rays of light that can be seen during hard times, whether they be caused by sin, sickness, or grief.
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
I John 1:5-7
In Philippians, Paul tells us how to see God even in darkness, a way to see Jesus even when weighed down, to have peace even in chaos. Pray about it: thank God for the good, then request help. Then you’ll feel God’s peace, even when those around you, or even yourself, don’t understand it. After you’ve prayed about the situation, think on all the good that you see and know.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
I John 2:17
What a glorious moment when all the burdens that we carried on Earth are finally relieved forever. The last line of Psalm 23 reads, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Similarly, the last line of Abide with Me says, “In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.” We want God to be with us in life so that we can be with Him in death.
James 4:8 tells us that if we draw near to God, he will draw near to us. God’s presence is always there, He’s just waiting for us to invite Him into our lives. That’s why we sing “Abide with Me,” to invite God into our decisions, our steps, our questions, and our rejoicing.
“This song knits together lament and hope, the way every day of this Christian life does. I ache, and I rejoice. I long, yet I live in abundance. I weep, and I laugh. I will die, but I will also live forever because of Jesus.”
—Melanie Rainer, She Reads Truth blog
VERSES LEFT OUT OF HYMNALS
The original song actually had eight verses.* I include these here at the end of the series, because they speak to the theme of the whole song of inviting God to abide with us in our everyday.
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 terror, 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.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How do you fix your eyes on Jesus everyday?
Using Philippians 4 as a guide, make a list of “whatevers” you can meditate on when you’re feeling anxious or upset: whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy.
Write your own verse to this song. It doesn’t have to rhyme, it only needs to include the phrase “abide with me.”
A PRAYER
Dear God and Father, You created this earth and everything in it. You formed us in our mother’s womb. We invite you to abide with us, everyday, in every moment, sad or rejoicing. Show us your light and make your presence known to us. We can’t wait to be in Heaven where there are no tears, hunger, or pain. Abide with us here, so we can abide with you there. Through your son we pray to you, Amen.
Thank you for reading this series on the classic hymn “Abide with Me.” I hope you find it beneficial in deepening your understanding of the song and of the Bible verses that go with it. I’d love to hear your feedback! Comment below or send an email to natalie@nataliehilton.com.
*I found the additional verses on Wikipedia, but you can also see them in the writer’s original handwriting.
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