Hymns of the Faith: Abide With Me

I didn’t grow up in a hymn-singing church and only recently discovered hymns of the faith. I have been enthralled with their beautiful melodies and rich biblical truths.

As I learn new hymns, I will post them on the blog with the lyrics, music, and stories. In sharing these hymns, I hope you will discover or rediscover this beautiful heritage of Christianity and that it will inspire your faith in Christ. See the complete series here.

The hymn Abide With Me was written in 1947 by Henry Francis Lyte, a vicar and Anglican priest of All Saints Church in Lower Brixham, Devonshire, England.

Lyte was born in Kelso, Scotland, in 1793 and displayed signs of being a gifted poet from a young age. At 21, he attended Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and excelled in poetry, earning prizes and scholarships. He penned various religious hymns and poems throughout his life, including “Jesus, My Cross Have Taken,” “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” “Tales of the Lord’s Prayer in Verse,” “Poems Chiefly Religious,” and “The Spirit of the Psalms.”

Lyte suffered from poor health most of his life and often went abroad for therapy. In his early fifties, he developed a lung condition that deteriorated to tuberculosis. So, he planned a therapeutic trip to Italy, hoping the warm climate would alleviate his condition and prolong his life.

Just weeks before the trip, Lyte announced he wanted to preach at Brixham one last time before leaving for an unknown duration. This announcement came as a surprise to his family since Lyte was in a feeble condition. They tried to change his mind, but Lyte would not listen. He quipped, “It was better to wear out than to rust out.”

So, on September 4, 1847, Lyte preached what would be his last sermon. After the service, Lyte strolled through his garden, likely reflecting on his impending death. He later retreated to his study and emerged with the lyrics of Abide with Me.

Abide With Me became Lyte’s most famous hymn. The title and words are from Luke 24:29 KJV, where two disciples on the road to Emmaus met the risen Jesus and said to Him, “Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”

There is a dispute regarding the timing of Lyte’s poem. According to some sources, Lyte initially wrote Abide With Me in 1820 after visiting a sick friend who repeatedly said, “Abide with me.” Both accounts could be true. Maybe Lyte began the poem in 1820, remembered it as he was dying, and then revised and completed it on the evening of his last sermon.

Shortly after entrusting the hymn to a relative, Lyte departed for Italy. On the way, Lyte made a stop in Avignon, France. He revised Abide With Me there and sent the updated version to his wife. A few days later, on November 20, 1847, his lungs finally gave out, and Lyte died at 54 years old. His final words were, “Peace! Joy!”

Lyte’s son-in-law and a fellow minister held a memorial service where Abide With Me was sung for the first time.

Despite Lyte writing a melody for his hymn, the tune most commonly linked to Abide With Me was composed by Henry Monk 14 years later. Monk was an English organist, church musician, and music editor. He was inspired to write the melody for the hymn after his three-year-old daughter passed away. He named the tune Eventide.

Abide With Me is one of the most cherished hymns among Christians, yours truly included. Its profound lyrics, stunning imagery, and soul-stirring melody encourage believers to seek God’s presence and help in life’s circumstances. This hymn is a powerful reminder that God is there with us in our darkest moments and most helpless times, and we have nothing to fear in life or death.