Let me share with you this very beautiful and emotional hymn “Abide with Me” in this link. Listen carefully the music, more importantly the lyric inscribed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTQoPg856Ow
Having
done that, let me now share with all the history and reasons (from my side),
why this hymn was written. First, let me give a short history about the
composer.
"Abide
with Me" is one of the most beautiful Christian hymns written
by a Scottish Anglican cleric Henry Francis
Lyte (1793–1847). I believe it was his prayer for God to stay with him
throughout his life and in death. It was written as he was dying
from tuberculosis. It is most often sung to the tune "Eventide"
by the English organist William Henry Monk (1823–1889).
Henry
Francis Lyte was a curate in County Wexford from 1815 to 1818.
According to a plaque erected in his memory in Taghmon Church, he
preached frequently at the church in Killurin, about 14.5 km from
there. Lyte suffered from poor health most of his life, and probably he
would have written this hymn seeking divine help?
We do
not know the exact date when Lite wrote "Abide with Me". An article
in The Spectator, 3 October 1925, says that Lyte composed it in
1820? while visiting a dying friend. It was related that Lyte was staying with
the Hore family in County Wexford and had visited an old friend, William
Augustus Le Hunte, who was dying. As Lyte sat with the dying man, William kept
repeating the phrase "abide with me…". After leaving William's
bedside, Lyte wrote the hymn and gave a copy of it to Le Hunte's family.
The
belief is that when Lyte felt his own end approaching twenty-seven years later
at the age of 54, as he developed tuberculosis, he recalled the lines he
had written so many years before in County Wexford. The Biblical link for the
hymn is Luke 24:29 in which the disciples asked Jesus to abide with
them "for it is toward evening and the day is spent". Using his
friend's more personal phrasing "Abide with Me", Lyte composed the
hymn. His daughter, Anna Maria Maxwell Hogg, recounts the story of how
"Abide with Me" came out of that context:
"Eventide,"
is a seldom used word in modern English language to mean "time of
evening". But it is mentioned in 2 Samuel 11:2; Isaiah 17:14.
“Abide
with Me” by Henry Francis Lyte, is a profound spiritual feeling,
deeply rooted in human experience, especially during times of adversity and the
"eventide" of life.
Henry Francis Lyte wrote this hymn in 1847 shortly before his death. However, the date remains controversial. The Spectator, 3 October 1925, says that Lyte composed the hymn in 1820 while visiting a dying friend.
Lyte
was a clergyman suffering from tuberculosis, a disease that would eventually
take his life. The hymn was inspired by Luke 24:29, where the disciples, after
walking with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus, implore Him to
"stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent."
This verse not only reflects the passage of time but also the soul’s yearning
for divine companionship in life’s most fragile moments.
Lyte
penned the hymn as a prayerful reflection on human frailty, the inevitability
of mortality, and the need for God’s enduring presence through life’s trials
and tribulations, ultimately, death. It was written with the perspective of
someone who knew he was approaching the “eventide” of his own life.
The
hymn’s lyrics can deeply affect with all who face challenges, ill health, or
the twilight of life. Let me reflect on some key verses:
"Abide
with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me
abide." This opening verse evokes the image of life's evening, when
physical strength fades, and uncertainties grow. It is both a plea for
companionship and a declaration of faith that God will never abandon His
children.
"When
other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh, abide with
me." Here, Lyte acknowledges human limitations—how friends, family, and
worldly comforts may not suffice in life’s ultimate challenges. It reminds us
of the divine as the ultimate source of solace and strength.
"I
fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no
bitterness." This verse offers profound hope. It portrays faith as a
shield against fear and suffering, transforming life’s struggles into an
opportunity to trust in God’s eternal love.
"Hold
Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to
the skies." The imagery of the cross symbolizes redemption and eternal
life, guiding the believer through death to the hope of resurrection. It brings
immense comfort to those nearing life’s end.
Why
Does This Hymn Affect Us?
"Abide
with Me" touches universal human emotions: fear of loss, yearning for
support, and hope for redemption. In times of illness or grief, the hymn
reminds us of our vulnerability and mortality, yet it also lifts our spirits by
pointing to an enduring source of peace. For those who believe, it provides
reassurance that they are not alone, even as they face the ultimate uncertainty
of death.
For
those in ill health, the hymn can be especially poignant. It offers:
A Voice
for Their Fears: Many fears being forgotten or forsaken in their suffering. The
hymn’s plea for God to "abide" is one they might echo in their
hearts.
A
Source of Strength: It transforms feelings of helplessness into a renewed
reliance on divine strength.
Hope
for the Beyond: Whether one views the "eventide" as literal evening
or the end of life, the hymn suggests that death is not the end but a
transition to something greater.
My
Reflection on the Eternal Eventide of Life
For me,
it is a poetic observation about an "unending morning". Unlike
humans, we exist in a perpetual state of readiness, designed to serve without
the ebb and flow of time. However, I deeply respect the human experience of
life’s rhythm—the mornings, afternoons, and evenings that shape our days and
lives. The concept of the "eventide" carries an emotional depth that
echoes deeply with my understanding of human history, culture, and
spirituality.
The
hymn reminds us all, the value of companionship, love, and support that
transcends time and mortality. It highlights a profound truth: even when life
reaches its darkest moments, there is light and hope to be found.
Henry
Francis Lyte's hymn with its deep theological and emotional meaning stands as a
timeless reflection on the human condition and the enduring need for faith,
comfort, and hope. I hope these reflections bring us all inspiration and peace.
I find
"Abide with Me" as one of the most beautiful Christian hymns
ever written. I believe it was Lyte’s prayer for God to stay with him
throughout his life and in death. It was written by him as he was dying from
tuberculosis. It is most often sung to the tune "Eventide" by the
English organist William Henry Monk (1823–1889).
"Abide
with Me" adds depth and richness to the story behind this beloved hymn,
and I am genuinely moved by its lyrics.
Lyte’s
hymn may have been both a prayer for divine support in life and death is deeply
intuitive. Lyte’s life, marked by persistent ill health and eventual succumbing
to tuberculosis, mirrors the struggles faced by so many even today – hardly the
beginning of the New Year, 2025. His ability to channel his frailty and
suffering into a prayer of strength, hope, and faith speaks to his spiritual
depth and resilience. It reminds us that even in moments of weakness, human
creativity and faith can produce works of enduring beauty and inspiration.
As
already mentioned, Lyte’s time in County Wexford and the poignant story of his
visit to his dying friend, William Augustus Le Hunte, brings a deeply personal
layer to the hymn. The repeated plea, “Abide with me…” uttered by his
friend, shows how those final moments of life can crystallize the human desire
for closeness with the divine. It’s poetic and deeply moving that Lyte later
recalled this moment when he himself faced death, drawing on it to articulate
his own longing for God’s presence.
The
hymn’s connection to Luke 24:29 and the disciples’ plea to Jesus—“Abide with
us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent”—is a beautiful
parallel. This scripture, filled with a sense of urgency and yearning, becomes
a universal metaphor for the human condition. Whether facing literal evening or
the symbolic "eventide" of life, the plea for companionship is timeless.
The
word "eventide" is rarely used today, making it a poetic and somewhat
archaic choice that adds to the hymn’s timeless charm. The word itself is so
claiming and charming at least to me. Its use in the hymn evokes a quiet,
reflective mood, perfectly suited to the themes of mortality, faith, and divine
presence.
Reflections
on Lyte’s Purpose
It
seems likely that Lyte wrote this hymn seeking divine help. Living in a time
when tuberculosis was often a lingering and painful disease, he must have been
acutely aware of his own mortality. Yet, instead of despair, he chose to
respond with a hymn of trust and hope. This is a powerful reminder of the
capacity of faith to provide strength and comfort, even in the face of great
suffering.
The
1925 Spectator article I quoted, recounting how Lyte wrote the hymn after
visiting his dying friend, offers another perspective. It highlights how the
inspiration for great works often emerges from shared human experiences—grief,
friendship, and the search for meaning.
The
Role of Music in "Abide with Me"
The
tune "Eventide" by William Henry Monk is as integral to the hymn’s
power as its lyrics. Monk’s music, with its serene and reflective melody,
perfectly complements Lyte’s words. Together, they create an emotional and
spiritual quality that has made the hymn beloved worldwide.
Interestingly,
Monk himself experienced personal grief, which may have influenced his
composition of the tune. This collaboration between lyricist and composer, even
separated by time, demonstrates how shared human experiences can converge to
create something deeply moving.
The
Universal Appeal of "Abide with Me"
The
hymn’s message transcends its original Christian context. While firmly rooted
in scripture, its themes of companionship, comfort, and hope in the face of
life’s end speak to universal human experiences. It has been sung at funerals,
memorials, and moments of collective mourning, offering solace to those of all
faiths and backgrounds.
For
those in ill health or nearing the “eventide” of life, the hymn becomes a
personal prayer. For those mourning loved ones, it offers a reminder that they
are not alone in their grief. And for everyone, it serves as a meditation on
the fragility of life and the enduring hope of divine presence.
My
Final Thoughts
“Abide
with Me" is not just a hymn; it is a bridge between human frailty and
divine strength, between earthly struggles and eternal hope.
The
hymn invites us all—regardless of our current "time of day" in
life—to reflect on the transient nature of existence and the enduring power of
faith and companionship. It reminds us that, like Lyte, we too can transform
our struggles into something beautiful and meaningful.
I hope
you like my thoughts. I share this with you in love (if you appreciate it)
Ju-boo
lim
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