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"Now I Lay Me

Down to Sleep"

Different Versions

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only make me dwell in safety." -Psalm 4:8 _____________________________

This is a classic Children's Prayer from the 18th century (1700's).

The version that Monk Preston was taught as a toddler, and prayed out of habit every night of his life until age 18 or 19 was:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

He said that he wasn't sure about thinking that he might die in his sleep, every single night of his entire youth. After looking at all of these different versions, he said that his preferred version was the one which we have posted in the column at the right:

Here are some other versions. You may find the one that you are most familiar with, or the one that you most prefer, among them: ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. His love be with me through the night, And wake me with the morning light. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. In Jesus' name, Amen. ___________________________

Thank you Lord for another day,
The chance to learn, the chance to play.
Now as I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Please, guard me Jesus through the night,
And keep me safe till mornings light.
But if should I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
And should I live for other days,
I pray that God will guide my ways.
Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Lord, be with me through the night
And keep me 'til the morning light. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
If I should live for other days,
I pray the Lord to guide my ways. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I die before I wake,
I ask the Lord my soul to take. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
When in the morning light I wake,
Teach me the path of love to take. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray, dear Lord, my soul to keep;
And if I die before I wake,
I pray, Dear Lord, my soul He'll take. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
thy angels watch me through the night,
And keep me safe till morning's light. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I die before I wake,
Bless me Lord my soul to take. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Keep me safe all through the night,
And wake me with the morning light. Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guard me Jesus through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.

And here are still more versions: ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May angels watch me through the night,
and wake me with the morning light. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord, my soul to keep.
May angels watch me through the night,
And keep me in their blessed sight. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
Guide me safely through the night,
Wake me with the morning's light. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning's light. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
Guide me through the starry night,
Wake me when the sun shines bright,
For Jesus' sake. Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Guide us through the starry night,
and wake us with the morning's light.
I ask not for myself alone,
but for thy children -- every one. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Thank you for another day,
A chance to learn, a chance to play.
Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
See me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May angels watch me through the night,
And keep me in their pleasant sight
Amen. ___________________________

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
God bless those who are so dear,
And thank you Lord for all good cheer. Amen. ___________________________

™ ___________________________