With my dust be put away.

Finest of all Kingo’s morning hymns is the splendid “The Sun Arises Now in Light and Glory”. This hymn presents all the finest traits of Kingo’s poetry, its vivid imagery, forceful style and robust faith. The following translation is by the Rev. P. C. Paulsen.

The sun arises now

In light and glory

And gilds the rugged brow

Of mountains hoary.

Rejoice, my soul, and lift

Thy voice in singing

To God from earth below,

Thy song with joy aglow

And praises ringing.

As countless as the sand

And beyond measure,

As wide as sea and land

So is the treasure

Of grace which God each day

Anew bestoweth

And which, like pouring rain,

Into my soul again

Each morning floweth.

Preserve my soul today

From sin and blindness;

Surround me on my way

With loving kindness.

Embue my heart, O Lord,

With joy from heaven;

I then shall ask no more

Than what Thou hast of yore

In wisdom given.

Thou knowest best my needs,

My sighs Thou heedest,

Thy hand Thy children leads,

Thine own Thou feedest.

What should I more desire,

With Thee deciding

The course that I must take,

Than follow in the wake

Where Thou art guiding.

Evening naturally inspires a different sentiment than morning. The rising sun calls for activity, the setting sun for reflection. As the sun sets, as work ceases and the busy day merges into the quiet night the soul begins to take account of

its gains and losses, its assets and liabilities. The dying day also conveys a sense of insecurity, of approaching death and the need for pardon and protection. All

these sentiments, so different from the hopes and prospects of the morning, are

wonderfully portrayed in Kingo’s evening hymns, as for instance:

Vanish now all sinful dreaming,

Let the joy from heaven streaming

Occupy my soul and mind.

Watch, my spirit, and prepare thee,

Lest the cunning foe ensnare thee

When repose hath made thee blind.

Sleep now in God’s care appeasing.

While the noise of day is ceasing,