The Day Is Past and Over

The Day Is Past and Over is a hymn text by Anatolius of Laodicea (1582) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by John Mason Neale. Found in h82 33, lbw 278, lw 546, tlh 555. Sung to EUDOXIA.

This hymn embodies the Lutheran understanding of daily repentance and reliance upon God's mercy as foundational to Christian life. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on personal prayer and the believer's direct appeal to God for forgiveness and protection.

History & Background

Originally a Greek evening hymn attributed to Anatolius, bishop of Laodicea in the 3rd century. The text was translated by J.M. Neale in 1853 for his Hymnal Noted, becoming a standard English evening hymn.

Hymnal Appearances

• The Hymnal 1982 — 33
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 278
• Lutheran Worship — 546
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 555
• With One Voice — 615

Translation

John Mason Neale

Bulletin Note

From Anatolius of Laodicea (4th century), this compline hymn shaped monastic prayer for over 1,200 years. Luther recovered it for congregational worship, making ancient penitential practice available to all believers.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies Luther's conviction that daily repentance is the Christian's lifelong rhythm: the law exposes our failings; the gospel wraps us in Christ's forgiving mercy and protective grace.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: acknowledgment of daily sin → plea for forgiveness → trust in Christ's mercy → assurance of Christ's protective presence through darkness

Overview

An evening hymn from the Greek Church, translated by J. M. Neale, long attributed to St. Anatolius (hence the tune name). Thanks for the day; may the night hours be sinless (st. 1), offenseless (st. 2), free from peril (st. 3); lighten my eyes 'that in death I sleep not,' lest my Foe say 'I have prevailed' (st. 4; Ps 13:3-4); 'Lover of men,' guard me from all perils (st. 5).

Central theme: An evening prayer for a night kept from sin and danger and for eyes enlightened against spiritual death

Structure

Five six-line stanzas with refrain couplet 'O Jesus, keep me in Thy sight / And guard me through the coming night.' Thanks (1-3) — enlightened eyes (4) — Lover of men (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: the Foe's boast; perils; spiritual sleep of death (4-5). Gospel: 'keep me in Thy sight'; 'make their darkness light'; 'Lover of men' (refrain, 3, 5).

Confessional Connections

Ps 13:3 (TLH's text): 'Light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him.' St. 4 prays against spiritual death — falling from faith (AC XII.7; LC Lord's Prayer VI). 'Lover of men' (philanthrōpos, Titus 3:4: 'the goodness and loving kindness [philanthrōpia] of God our Savior appeared') — a characteristic Byzantine title for Christ. SC Evening Prayer parallels the petitions for a night kept from sin and danger.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Evening; Vespers; Compline.

Historical Notes

Neale published it in Hymns of the Eastern Church (1853/1862), ascribing it to Anatolius; the Greek original is an evening idiomelon of uncertain authorship.

About the Tune

ST. ANATOLIUS (Arthur H. Brown, 1862).

Scripture References

Ps 13:3-4 Ps 141:2 Ps 4:8 Ps 139:11-12 Eph 5:14 1 Pet 5:8 Titus 3:4 Ps 121:7-8

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Evening prayer Guard and protection Forgiveness Trust in God's care Daily consecration

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "The Day Is Past and Over" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "EUDOXIA" ↗