A Child's Hymn

Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father,
 Ere I lay me down to sleep;
 Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
 Round my bed their vigil keep.
 
 My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy
 Far outweighs them, every one;
 Down before Thy cross I cast them,
 Trusting in Thy help alone.
 
 Keep me through this night of peril
 Underneath its boundless shade;
 Take me to Thy rest, I pray Thee,
 When my pilgrimage is made.
 
 None shall measure out Thy patience
 By the span of human thought;
 None shall bound the tender mercies
 Which Thy Holy Son has bought.
 
 Pardon all my past transgressions,
 Give me strength for days to come;
 Guide and guard me with Thy blessing
 Till Thy angels bid me home.