At Even when the Sun did Set
At even when the sun did set
At Even when the Sun did Set is a hymn text by Henry Twells (1868) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in ch95 644, h82 165, lbw 92, lw 365. Sung to ANGELUS.
The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the source of healing and wholeness, connecting physical healing miracles to spiritual restoration. It demonstrates the incarnational theology central to Lutheran Christology, where Christ actively ministers to human need with divine compassion.
History & Background
Written by Henry Twells in 1868, this hymn was first published in Church Hymns (1871). It became widely used in Anglican and Lutheran hymnals throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 644
- The Hymnal 1982 — 165
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 92
- Lutheran Worship — 365
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 557
Bulletin Note
Written by Henry Twells in 1868, this evening hymn draws from the Gospel accounts of Jesus healing the sick at sunset. Its Long Meter accommodates both meditative singing and theological depth about Christ's incarnational care.
Preaching Connection
This hymn's portrayal of Christ as healer of body and soul anchors the Gospel promise that divine mercy embraces our whole selves—a counterweight to any spiritualizing of the incarnation.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Christ's historical healing ministry (stanza 1) through the proclamation of His redemptive work (stanza 2), to personal petition for spiritual and physical wholeness (stanza 3), culminating in doxological confidence in Christ's healing grace (stanza 4)
Overview
Henry Twells' great evening hymn on Mark 1:32-34. At sunset the sick crowded around Jesus and went away healed (st. 1); now at evening we come with our own ills, unseen but present (st. 2); a searching catalogue of the congregation's needs — sick, sad, loveless, lapsed, worldly, doubting, enslaved by passion, disillusioned yet unfree, friendless (st. 3-5); none have perfect rest, and the holiest feel their sin most (st. 6); Christ, who was tempted, sees the wounds shame hides (st. 7); his touch still heals (st. 8).
Central theme: Christ the Physician, present at evening to heal every kind of bodily and spiritual sickness in his people
Structure
Eight long-meter quatrains. Gospel scene (1) — present gathering (2) — catalogue of ills (3-6) — the sympathetic Savior (7) — prayer for healing (8).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'none are wholly free from sin'; lost love; doubt; passions; wounds of shame (3-7). Gospel: 'Thou art here'; 'only Thou canst cast them out'; 'Thy touch has still its ancient power' (2, 4, 8).
Confessional Connections
Mark 1:32-34 (TLH's text). St. 2: Christ's presence with his gathered people (Matt 18:20; 28:20) — faith knows him present though unseen. St. 6 is a classic statement of simul iustus et peccator: 'they who fain would serve Thee best / Are conscious most of wrong within' (Rom 7:18-24; 1 Tim 1:15; Ap IV on the continuing sin of the regenerate; FC VI). St. 7: Christ's true humanity and temptation (Heb 4:15; FC VIII). St. 8: 'No word from Thee can fruitless fall' — the efficacy of the Word (Isa 55:11; AC V). Matt 8:17 links these healings to Christ bearing our infirmities.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Evening; Vespers; healing services; Epiphany (healing miracles).
Historical Notes
Twells (1823-1900), headmaster of Godolphin School, Hammersmith, wrote it at the request of Henry Baker for the 1868 Appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modern. His original first line read 'At even, ere the sun was set'; some books altered it to match Mark's 'when the sun did set' (verify).
About the Tune
ANGELUS (Heilige Seelenlust, Breslau, 1657, ad.; attributed to Georg Joseph).
Scripture References
Mark 1:32-34 Luke 4:40 Matt 18:20 Matt 28:20 Rev 2:4 Mark 9:24 Luke 8:2 Eccl 1:2 Rom 7:15-24 1 John 1:8 1 Tim 1:15 Heb 4:15 Heb 2:18 Ps 139:1-4 Isa 55:11 Mal 4:2 Matt 8:16-17
Stanza by Stanza
At evening, when the sun set, the sick lay around you, Lord. How many kinds of pain they came with, and how joyfully they went away!
'That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick… and he healed many' (Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40).
- Scripture
- Mark 1:32-34, Luke 4:40
- Imagery & language
- Sunset; the sick around Christ; joy.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ heals.
- Connection to previous
- Gospel scene.
Once more it is evening, and we draw near, weighed down with various ills. Though we cannot see your form, we know and feel that you are here.
'Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I' (Matt 18:20). 'Though you do not now see him, you believe in him' (1 Pet 1:8).
- Scripture
- Matt 18:20, 1 Pet 1:8, Matt 28:20
- Imagery & language
- Eventide; various ills; unseen presence.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ present.
- Connection to previous
- Unseen presence.
Savior Christ, drive away our troubles; for some are sick and some are sad, some have never loved you well, and some have lost the love they once had.
'You have abandoned the love you had at first' (Rev 2:4). 'A broken and contrite heart' (Ps 51:17).
- Scripture
- Rev 2:4, Ps 51:17
- Imagery & language
- Sick; sad; never loved; lost love.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — lovelessness.
- Connection to previous
- Catalogue begins.
And some are weighed down with worldly cares, some tested by sinful doubt, and some are torn by such terrible passions that only you can cast them out.
'The cares of the world… choke the word' (Mark 4:19). 'I believe; help my unbelief!' (Mark 9:24). Mary Magdalene, 'from whom seven demons had gone out' (Luke 8:2).
- Scripture
- Mark 4:19, Mark 9:24, Luke 8:2
- Imagery & language
- Worldly care; sinful doubt; passions; cast out.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — bondage; Gospel — only Christ delivers.
- Connection to previous
- Only Thou.
And some have found the world empty, yet cannot break free from it; and some have friends who hurt them, yet have not looked for a friend in you.
'Vanity of vanities' (Eccl 1:2). 'I do not do what I want' (Rom 7:15). 'There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother' (Prov 18:24; John 15:15).
- Scripture
- Eccl 1:2, Rom 7:15, Prov 18:24, John 15:15
- Imagery & language
- World vain; not free; painful friends; Friend in Thee.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — bondage of the will; Gospel — Christ the Friend.
- Connection to previous
- Vain world.
And none of us, Lord, have perfect rest, for none are wholly free from sin; and those who most want to serve you best are most aware of wrong within.
'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves' (1 John 1:8). 'Christ Jesus came… to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost' (1 Tim 1:15). 'Wretched man that I am!' (Rom 7:24). Ap IV; FC VI — simul iustus et peccator.
- Scripture
- 1 John 1:8, 1 Tim 1:15, Rom 7:18-24
- Imagery & language
- No perfect rest; none free from sin; the best most conscious.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sin in the saints.
- Connection to previous
- None free from sin.
Savior Christ, you too are human; you have been troubled, tempted and tested. Your kind but searching look can see the very wounds that shame would hide.
'One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin' (Heb 4:15). 'O LORD, you have searched me and known me' (Ps 139:1). FC VIII on Christ's true humanity.
- Scripture
- Heb 4:15, Heb 2:18, Ps 139:1-4
- Imagery & language
- True man; tempted; searching glance; hidden wounds.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the sympathetic High Priest.
- Connection to previous
- Thou, too, art man.
Your touch still has its ancient power; no word of yours can fall without fruit. Hear us in this solemn evening hour and in your mercy heal us all.
'My word… shall not return to me empty' (Isa 55:11). 'He took our illnesses and bore our diseases' (Matt 8:17). 'The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings' (Mal 4:2). AC V.
- Scripture
- Isa 55:11, Matt 8:16-17, Mal 4:2
- Imagery & language
- Ancient power; fruitful word; heal us all.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's healing Word.
- Connection to previous
- Heal us all.
Themes
Christ's healing power Evening contemplation Divine compassion Sickness and wholeness Active faith