Anyone who has sung the song “In Christ Alone” in their church over the past decade is most likely familiar with the modern hymn songwriting of modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty. The Ireland-born couple has made it a mission field to write songs, in the style of the hymns of the faith, filled with biblical truth. They have blessed worshippers with their songs, such as "By Faith," "Christ is Risen He is Risen Indeed," "O Children Come," and "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death."
The beauty of their songwriting is that their lyrics are based on truth. Each and every word has deep meaning and is filled with rich, passionate and living, active theology. Evensong– Hymns And Lullabies At The Close Of Day is the latest collection of hymns and lullabies from Keith and Kristyn. I had the chance to speak with Kristyn about “Evensong,” a piece of music from that album.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
"Evensong" was written with contemporary Christian artist Matt Papa, who came up with the idea for this song. Matt brought the song's melody, and we wrote the lyrics together, based on the old children's bedtime prayer: “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord, my soul, to keep.” That was the initial lyrical inspiration. We wanted a closing prayer for the album. The whole idea of "Evensong" is based on the traditional short church service to close out the day.
This song is a project born out of a family tradition. We close out our days with a time of reflection in thought, song, scripture, and prayer, to lead us to the Lord and to sanctify the night. We thought it would be appropriate to close the album with a blessing prayer that you can sing over yourself, as well as over your children, family, and home.
The first verse is about sleeping and trusting the Lord. The second verse is about confession, and cleansing before sleeping. The third verse is focused on children and prayers for our kids. The fourth verse is a prayer for the world. The chorus is “Amen” to those prayers and for His grace to rise again. We had the Trinity Boys Choir from Cambridge, England sing along with this song.
We’ve heard that you need to empty your mind to find peace. But, the truth is you need to fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word, His promises, and the hopes we have in Him.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Proverbs 3:24(NIV): “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Psalm 42:7-8(NKJV): “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me—A prayer to the God of my life.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV): “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Matthew 11:28(NIV): “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
John 10:10(ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Philippians 4:6-7(NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Matthew 19:14(NKJV): But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Mark 9:37(NKJV): "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."
2 Corinthians 5:17(NKJV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
1 John 4:4(NKJV): "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
What is the takeaway message of the song and album?
This collection of hymns and lullabies features a mixture of daily emotions that help us redirect the mind and the comfort of the heart. These are lullabies and hymns we have sung to and for our children. Singing God’s truth into both the more quiet and vulnerable moments of the day has been a centerpiece of raising our own kids.
I know I need true words spoken into my heart and mind to help declutter all that presses in upon me from day to day. My children all wrestle with fear of the dark. We wanted songs and prayers for them to sing at night before going to bed. Psalm 42 says, “in the night His song shall be with me.” And, these songs are for these thoughts to be in the minds and hearts of our kids as they are sleeping.
Hopefully, this album provides an opportunity to sing deep truths that you want your children to remember. During this time of COVID-19, we have had the opportunity to spend more time together as a family. So, it’s been significant to spend time singing as a family.
The church’s ancient tradition called evensong is for spending time before the Lord in prayers and songs at the end of the day. The album is in some ways an echo of that tradition; the songs and the album were born out of the thoughts and conversations, the prayers and songs that fill our home, particularly when the sun goes down.
I hope these songs help people dwell on the Lord and His promises: to release a burdened mind, to calm a restless heart. Something that points us towards real peace in Christ. The call of the life of a believer to sing remains a source of strength and comfort. It’s a gift for every believer.
Lyrics
Now as I lay me down to sleep
I pray, Thee Lord, my soul to keep
Oh, guide me in Thy tender care
Thy presence calm my every fear
Now as I lay me down to rest
My wrongful heart I do confess
Oh, Saviour cleanse me from the sin
Bring peace with Thee
And peace with man
Now as my children gently sleep
May love and beauty fill their dreams
I pray they seek Thy path at rest
And on Thy promise lay their heads
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
By Thy grace to rise again
Now turn our hearts toward Thy way
Help those in doubt, in loss, in pain
Oh Lord, have mercy on this world
Thy song of hope be ever heard
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
By Thy grace to rise again
By Thy grace to rise again
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
Closing Thoughts
Evensong – Hymns And Lullabies At The Close Of Day is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. Each song is catchy, soothing, biblical, and worshipful. This song and this album contain biblical truths that all listeners can say amen to.
This song's lyrics, "Now as I lay me down to rest/My wrongful heart I do confess/Oh, Saviour cleanse me from the sin/Bring peace with Thee/And peace with man," are a reminder that we need God’s peace in our hearts.
Have faith and let God work all things together for good. Spend time with God and let Him redeem and restore you. We're not at the end of our story, God's still writing our stories of redemption.
We can't earn heaven. It's only through complete surrender to Jesus, putting our hope in Him that we can be saved. "Evensong" is about having a strong faith. Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Sometimes, we think we can try to know everything.
God tells us in the Bible that with faith, we can do anything in Christ. One of the lessons I've learned about life is that we shouldn't wait to fix ourselves before we step out in faith. We need to fully trust God. Look for ways to obey Him. And, to offer your faith to Him.
We all deal with some level of fear, worry, and anxiety. God knows that about us. Emerge yourself in His Word. Be strengthened with the truth that God wants us to know that fear, worry, and anxiety is not His plan for our lives. By reading the Bible every day, God wants us to have a daily reminder to not be afraid.
You can sincerely pray these biblical and prayerful words, clinging to the truth of this powerful song. The word of the Lord doesn't return void, and this song puts God's Word in the mouths of believers, reminding them of the truth of God's promises.
The Lamentations 3:22-23 passage and this song challenges me to want to know God more deeply and have more faith and security in my relationship with God. Allow God and His Holy Spirit to change you to be more like Jesus and move closer to His glory. You can pray these words over our world: “Now turn our hearts toward Thy way/Help those in doubt, in loss, in pain/Oh Lord, have mercy on this world/Thy song of hope be ever heard.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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