Now the Day Is Over

The Story Behind "Now the Day Is Over"

Sabine Baring-Gould published the song “Now the Day Is Over” in the British newspaper Church Times in 1865, and it was set to music by composer Joseph Barnby in 1868.

Many writers live unusual lives, trying out different kinds of work to acquire experiences and experimenting with several kinds of writing. However, Baring-Gould had an exceptionally unusual life, if nothing else for how much he accomplished. Born into an English noble family, he became an Anglican priest in 1864, marrying Grace Taylor in 1868 and eventually having 15 children.

Along with serving as a curate (first in Yorkshire, later in Essex and Devon), Baring-Gould wrote a lot. He wrote short stories, novels, memoirs, history books about England’s West Country region, collections of historic folk songs, and a 16-book series on Lives of the Saints. He also helped to supervise archeological digs in Dartmoor and promoted Cornish history.

He reportedly accomplished all of these things while struggling with chronic bronchitis that he contracted as a boy.

Somehow amid all this activity, Baring-Gould also found time to write hymns, including classics like “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and English translations of hymns like “Gabriel’s Message.” An article for BBC Devon reports that Baring-Gould was surprised to see how some of his songs caught on with listeners; he wrote “Onward Christian Soldiers” in 10 minutes for a church event.
 

Scripture References in "Now the Day Is Over"

Unlike some famous hymns, “Now the Day Is Over” does not quote any specific Bible verse. It does, however, summarize ideas that many Bible verses discuss.

The general theme of the song, praying for healing and protection before going to sleep, fits the Bible’s recurring claim that God is our good shepherd who keeps us safe. For example, consider how God is described in Isaiah 40:11:

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

The verses about giving “calm and sweet repose” to the weary emphasize a point made throughout the Bible that God is not only our protector, but our comforter. The emphasis on resting in God alone brings to mind verses like Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The reference to giving children visions of God highlights the desire for children to learn about God and follow him faithfully. God places a high value on having childlike faith (trust, humility), as seen in verses like Matthew 11:14:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

The verse about angels watching people during the night brings to mind verses that describe God sending angels to protect people in crises, such as Psalm 91:11-12:

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

The final verse, a prayer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, emphasizes a point made throughout the New Testament that God is a triune God. He is three in one, and verses like Matthew 18:19 emphasize that we must honor all three members of the trinity:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
 

Scripture Interpretation in "Now the Day Is Over"

A lot has changed since “Now the Day Is Over” first appeared in the 1850s, but the hymn’s content still offers some important reminders.

The emphasis on God protecting us as we rest highlights that we should not be afraid to rest, something the songwriter probably needed to teach himself, given how busy he was with writing, archeology, and all his other activities.  

The way the song combines sentimental images with substantial concepts provides a reminder that the healthy Christian life includes comfort and instruction. It would be easy to write a hymn with lyrics offering cute images without much content behind the images. Instead, this hymn features references to heady spiritual concepts like the Trinity, God guarding people through angels, and the need to pass on a vision of God (what it means to be a Christian, to love God well, etc.) to young people. Each of these ideas could be a hymn in itself, but Baring-Gould finds a way to reference each idea, bringing them together into a neat package. The way the hymn combines comforting and complicated offers an important reminder that there are times to encourage and times to instruct, but we should never be afraid to do both.

 

Popular Hymn Lyrics with Story and Meaning

Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment
Jesus Loves Me
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Blessed Assurance
Nearer My God to Thee
Abide with Me
His Eye Is On the Sparrow
Be Thou My Vision
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Amazing Grace
And more!