All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

Hymn lyrics and .mp3 Download

Listen to:
  All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night (.midi)
  All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night (.mp3)
  All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night Bells Version (.mp3)

---

1. All praise to thee, my God, this night, for all the blessings of the light! Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, beneath thine own almighty wings.

2. Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son, the ill that I this day have done, that with the world, myself, and thee, I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3. Teach me to live, that I may dread the grave as little as my bed. Teach me to die, that so I may rise glorious at the judgment day.

4. O may my soul on thee repose, and with sweet sleep mine eyelids close, sleep that may me more vigorous make to serve my God when I awake.

5. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Words by: Thomas Ken
Music by: Thomas Tallis

Background for the hymn All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

The hymn "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night" was written by Thomas Ken (1637–1711), a bishop in the Church of England and one of the earliest English hymn writers. Here's a look at its rich background:

🕯️ Historical Context

Ken composed this hymn in 1674 as part of a set of daily hymns for students at Winchester College, where he served as chaplain.
It was included in his devotional manual A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Scholars of Winchester College, which encouraged students to begin and end each day with praise and reflection

---

✍️ Purpose and Structure

The hymn was written to be sung at bedtime, offering thanks for the day, seeking forgiveness, and asking for peaceful rest.
Its final stanza—“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow…”—is widely known today as The Doxology, sung in countless churches across denominations

🎶 Musical Setting

The hymn is traditionally paired with the tune TALLIS' CANON, composed by Thomas Tallis in the 16th century. Its simple, meditative melody complements the hymn’s reflective tone

---

🌟 Legacy

Ken’s hymns marked a turning point in Anglican worship, as hymn-singing was not widely practiced in the Church of England at the time.
He is often called the father of English hymnody, and this hymn remains a staple in evening worship services and personal devotion.