I

Death's dark and moonless night,

Me, unprepared, o'ertakes;

Lord, send Thy mercy while my soul

Its fearful journey makes;

Let not a spirit of dismay

Depress me on the awful way.

II

Lo, vain my life hath been,

And full of deadly cares;

Now these prevent my anxious soul,

And lay their bitter snares;

Let not a spirit of dismay

Depress me on the awful way.

III

The number of my sins,

Lord, let it not exceed

The fulness of Thy mercy great,

To overtake my need;

Nor let a spirit of dismay

Depress me on the awful way.

IV

For now they lead me hence,—

They gird me round about;

Rebellion stirs within my soul,

'Mid awful pangs of doubt;—

Let not a spirit of dismay

Depress me on the awful way.

V

In my affliction, Lord,

No comfort can I find;

Be Thou my comfort in my woe,

Who art exceeding kind;

Let not a spirit of dismay

Depress me on the awful way.