“Abide With Me” is one of the most tender and enduring Christian hymns, often sung at funerals, evening worship services, and solemn occasions. It was written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte, a Scottish Anglican minister, just weeks before his death from tuberculosis.
Its central message is a heartfelt plea for God to remain close—not just in life’s joyful moments, but especially in times of fear, grief, and loss. With lyrics full of vulnerability and hope, this hymn offers deep comfort to anyone facing trials.
Let’s explore the full Abide With Me lyrics, their spiritual meaning, and the simple chords and sheet music to help you play this timeless melody.
Full Lyrics of “Abide With Me”
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O 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.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
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;
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Line-by-Line Meaning
“Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; / The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;”
The speaker asks God to stay close as the day ends. “Eventide” and “darkness” are metaphors for life’s final moments or seasons of suffering.
“When other helpers fail and comforts flee, / Help of the helpless, O abide with me.”
He acknowledges the limits of human support and pleads for divine help in weakness, echoing Psalm 46:1.
“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; / Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;”
Life is described as short and fading. Earthly pleasures lose their shine in the face of eternity.
“Change and decay in all around I see— / O Thou who changest not, abide with me.”
The world is full of instability, but God remains constant. This reflects Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
“I need Thy presence every passing hour; / What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?”
God’s grace is the only protection against sin and spiritual attack.
“Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? / Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.”
The speaker desires God’s companionship through all seasons of life, good and bad.
“I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless; / Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;”
With God present, even suffering loses its sting. This is a declaration of victory through faith.
“Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? / I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.”
A direct reference to 1 Corinthians 15:55. With God, even death is defeated.
“Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; / Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;”
The cross symbolizes salvation and hope. The hymn ends with a vision of heaven.
“Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; / In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.”
Final lines show peaceful transition from earthly life to eternal glory.
History and Background
Henry Francis Lyte wrote “Abide With Me” while dying of tuberculosis in 1847. He preached his final sermon shortly after completing the hymn and passed away soon after.
Despite his suffering, his hymn conveys a deep peace, reflecting his unwavering faith in God’s presence through suffering and death. The hymn was first sung at his own funeral and later gained widespread use in state ceremonies, military services, and even the FA Cup Final in England.
It has been recorded by artists from Mahalia Jackson to Audrey Assad, and remains one of the most beloved hymns in English-speaking Christianity.
FAQs-“Abide With Me”
A: It is a prayer asking God to remain present through life, suffering, and death.
A: Henry Francis Lyte in 1847, shortly before his death.
A: Because it expresses trust in God through suffering and the hope of eternal life.
Q: What key is “Abide With Me” usually sung in?
A: Commonly in C major or G major.
A: While not word-for-word from Scripture, it is based on strong biblical themes such as John 15:4 and Psalm 23.
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