God of Day and God of Darkness

This is a hymn about faith in God.  Especially suitable for evening prayer, it can also be used as a message of hope for any time of difficulty.

The words were written by American Lutheran composer and pastoral musician, Marty Haugen (b 1950), and It was first released in 1985.

With meter 8.7.8.7 D, tunes it is set to include:

• BEACH SPRING which was published in the 1844 Sacred Harp book, and is sometimes attributed to its editor, B. F. White. This is the most widely-used tune for this hymn.
• JOEL by Sally Ann Morris (b 1952)

Downloads

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Digital download arranged by Alanna M Shadrake for SATB choir+congregation

Unison setting with descant, arranged for organ by Marty Haugen

Examples

Choir with piano-led band:

Lead singer and congregation with organ:

Marty Haugen with piano accompaniment - professional recording:

Singer with guitar + effects:

Lead singer and congregation, with organ:

Instrumental - piano:

Instrumental - classical guitar:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1 God of day and God of darkness, now we stand before the night.

2 Still the nations curse the darkness, still the rich oppress the poor.

3 Show us Christ in one another, make us servants strong and true.

4 You shall be the path that guides us; You the light that in us burns.

See more ...

• Hymns for times of difficulty
• Hymns for funerals

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
God of day and God of darkness,
Now we stand before the night.
As the shadows stretch and deepen,
Come and make our darkness bright.
All creation still is groaning
For the dawning of your might.
When the Sun of peace and justice
Fills the earth with radiant light.

Still the nations curse the darkness,
Still the rich oppress the poor.
Still the earth is bruised and broken
By the ones who still want more.
Come and wake us from our sleeping,
So our hearts cannot ignore
All your people lost and broken,
All your children at our door.

Show us Christ in one another.
Make us servants strong and true.
Give us all your love of justice,
So we do what you would do.
Let us call all people holy.
Let us pledge our lives anew.
Make us one with all the lowly.
Let us all be one in you.

You shall be the path that guides us;
You the light that in us burns.
Shining deep within all people,
Yours the love that we must learn.
For our hearts shall wander restless
'Til they safe to you return.
Finding you in one another,
We shall all your face discern.