No Night There

I'm not sure why, but I woke up this morning with the hymn “No Night There” going through my head (#730 in the old blue Trinity Hymnal, not sure what number in the newer red one). I haven’t sung this song in church in who knows how long, yet I easily recalled the words.

As I grew up, my dad would sing this hymn to us Pearce kids as we fell asleep. Its soft, soothing melody and rich, heavenward lyrics made for the perfect lullaby. As I sang it to myself this morning, I couldn’t help but smile and get a little emotional as I thought of Dad softly singing about what heaven will be like.

I look back on those moments now, and realize that this hymn was a perfect choice for my dad to sing to us kids – and not only for the lullaby-esque quality of the hymn. Its words, while meaningful to an adult, are simple enough for a child. Years ago while lying in bed, I would hear Dad singing this song and try to envision what heaven would be like –no tears, no pain, no night, golden streets, gates of pearl...

While looking at this hymn now as an adult, it has even more meaning to me. I understand the last verse even more now than I did then – the Lamb (Christ) is all the light in heaven – no sun, no moon. How great it will be when there will be no night because we will be forever in His presence.

#730 “No Night There”
In the land of fadeless day
Lies the city four-square.
It shall never pass away,
And there is no night there.

Refrain:
God shall wipe away all tears;
There's no death, no pain, nor fears;
And they count not time by years,
For there is no night there.

All the gates of pearl are made
In the city four-square.
All the streets with gold are laid,
And there is no night there.

And the gates shall never close
To the city four-square.
There life's crystal river flows,
And there is no night there.

There they need no sunshine bright,
In that city four-square.
For the Lamb is all the light,
And there is no night there.