At Even, Ere the Sun Was Set

Henry Twells wrote this hymn as a reflective evening meditation that invites the believer to think deeply about the compassion of Christ. Drawing from the scene in Mark 1, where the people of Capernaum gathered at sundown to bring their sick and troubled to Jesus, Twells captures the gentle beauty of that moment. As the sun sets and the busy hours fade, the hymn turns the heart toward the Savior who never grows weary of receiving those in need. Twells uses evening imagery to help the singer consider the close of each day as a time to bring every burden, sin, and sorrow to Christ.

The hymn encourages believers to picture themselves among the people who came to Jesus at dusk. Twells reminds the reader that the Lord who healed bodies and restored spirits in that ancient village is the same Lord who listens today. The text speaks of human frailty with quiet honesty. Life brings many struggles, yet the hymn reassures that Christ possesses endless mercy. Twells is careful to draw attention to the character of the Savior, showing Him as tender, patient, and willing to help those who reach out in faith.

The evening setting also brings a sense of calm and prayerfulness. Twells invites believers to consider the close of the day not simply as a time for sleep, but as an opportunity for spiritual reflection. In that quiet hour, the heart can lay open before God, confident that His grace is sufficient for every need. The hymn closes with a desire for Christ’s healing presence to rest upon the believer throughout the night and into the next day. It remains a gentle reminder that the Savior who worked in the twilight hours of Galilee continues to work in the lives of His people with the same compassion and power.