Now the Shades of Night are Gone

Now the Shades of Night are Gone is a hymn text by John Ellerton (1870) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in tlh 538. Sung to MELCOMBE.

The hymn expresses Lutheran confidence in God's constant care and watchfulness, reflecting the doctrine of divine providence central to Protestant theology. It reinforces the assurance of God's protection through all circumstances, connecting morning gratitude with ongoing faith.

History & Background

Written by John Ellerton in the 19th century as a morning hymn, it first appeared in various English hymnals and reflects the Victorian-era tradition of time-specific devotional hymns. The hymn was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 538.

Hymnal Appearances

• The Lutheran Hymnal — 538

Bulletin Note

Written by John Ellerton in 1870, this English hymn has long served Lutheran congregations in morning worship, grounding the grace of a new day in steadfast confidence in God's watchful providence and protection.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of our nighttime fears and weakness into the Gospel's radiant proclamation of divine providence, teaching us to begin each day in grateful trust rather than anxious self-reliance.

Background Research

Credited to Samson Occom (1723-1792), Mohegan minister (hymnary.org dates the text 1770; TLH 'ascribed', 1799). Converted under Whitefield (1739-40), taught by Eleazar Wheelock, ordained Presbyterian 1759; preached across England 1766-67 raising about £10,000 for Indian education, money that went to found Dartmouth College; later ministered on Long Island and, from 1786, at Brothertown, Oneida County, NY. Compiled A Choice Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs. Source: hymnary.org.

Overview

A morning hymn ascribed to Samson Occom, a Mohegan Native American Presbyterian minister — one of the first Native American hymnwriters published in English. The night has gone; may we be yours today; drive away sin's shadows (st. 1); fill us with light; help us labor and pray (st. 2); keep our passions bound and keep us from sin in our going out and coming in (st. 3); receive us at last, where sin's night is no more (st. 4).

Central theme: Morning dedication: asking Christ's light to drive away sin's darkness through the day and to bring us at last where there is no night

Structure

Four 7.7.7.7 quatrains. Morning (1) — light and work (2) — protection (3) — the last day (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'shades of sin'; 'haughty passions'; foes (1, 3). Gospel: 'heavenly light'; 'receive us then at last'; 'Night of sin will be no more' (2, 4).

Confessional Connections

Ps 121 (TLH's text): 'The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in' (st. 3). Morning prayer as daily dedication — SC Morning Prayer: 'keep me this day also from sin and every evil.' 'Drive the shades of sin away' — the light of Christ (2 Cor 4:6). St. 3: 'Keep our haughty passions bound' — the struggle against the flesh (Gal 5:24; FC VI). St. 4: 'Night of sin will be no more' (Rev 22:5).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Morning; daily devotion; Matins.

Historical Notes

Occom (1723-1792; byline 1732), Mohegan, ordained Presbyterian minister (1759), preacher to Native communities and fundraiser in Britain for Dartmouth College; his Choice Collection of Hymns appeared 1774. TLH gives '1799, asc.' (verify).

About the Tune

VIENNA (Justin H. Knecht, 1797).

Scripture References

Ps 121:8 Rom 13:12 1 John 1:5-7 2 Cor 4:6 Col 3:23 Gal 5:24 Ps 19:13 John 14:3 Rev 22:5

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Morning hymn God's protection Divine guidance Thanksgiving Trust in Providence

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Now the Shades of Night are Gone" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "MELCOMBE" ↗