Evening Devotions in a Prison

The silent curtains of the nightOur mournful cell surround,God's dwelling is in perfect light,His mercy hath no bound.

His blessed sun, with cheering smile,Dispenses good to all,Even on the sinful and the vileHis daily bounties fall.

The way of wickedness is hard,Its bitter fruits we know,Shame in this world is its reward,And in the future, woe.

Yet Thou, who see'st us while we payOur penalty of pain,Cast not our souls condemned away,Nor let our prayer be vain.

Deep root, within a soil subdued,Let true repentance take,And be its fruits a life renewed,For the Redeemer's sake.

Uplift our spirits from the ground,Give to our darkness, light;Oh, Thou ! whose mercies have no bound,Preserve us safe this night.