Lyrics
Did I live with love and grace
And dry the tears on some small face?
Did I drink the sunlight in
Look on loosing as a win?
Did I take the highest road?
Did I repay the debt I owed?
Search me, search me now
I pray and wash my every sin away
Before the purple sunset skies
Before the carpe diem dies
Before I close my eyes to sleep and pray
Dear Lord, my soul to keep
Before I reach the end of day
I've got to know I've walked Your way
Before the darkness shades the ground
Before the sun goes down
Did I keep my word today
And mean the things you heard me say?
Did I make sincere amends with those
I wronged, my kin and friends?
Did I seek to be more real
And verbalize the pains I feel?
Did I think on what is good
And help my brother when I could?
Before the purple sunset skies
Before the carpe diem dies
Before I close my eyes to sleep and pray
Dear Lord, my soul to keep
Before I reach the end of day
I've got to know I've walked Your way
Before the darkness shades the ground
Before the sun goes down
As I reflect, I must confess that
I might not have past some test
And I fell short in everything
For my poor flesh is limiting
And I regret my whole life through
I did not spend much time with you
But if there's time and one more breath
And one more hour of daylight left
Before the purple sunset skies
Before the carpe diem dies
Before I close my eyes to sleep and pray
Dear Lord, my soul to keep
Before I reach the end of day
I've got to know I've walked Your way
Before the darkness shades the ground
Before the sun goes down
By: Tanya Goodman Sykes
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Before the Sun Goes Down frames the close of a day as an honest examination before God. The questions about love, grace, keeping promises, making amends, and helping another person turn ordinary choices into matters of discipleship. Its repeated sunset image gives the prayer urgency: before rest comes, the singer wants assurance that his steps have followed God’s way. Confession remains central, since the voice admits failure, limited flesh, and neglected time with God rather than claiming moral success.
The plea ‘Search me’ closely echoes Psalm 139:23-24, where the psalmist asks God to expose anxious and harmful ways and lead him onward. The desire to think on what is good also recalls Philippians 4:8. Together, these links place daily reflection within repentance and renewed obedience. The song ultimately presents evening prayer as a time to acknowledge shortcomings, seek cleansing, repair damaged relationships, and use whatever daylight remains for faithful action.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 139:23-24 The psalm asks God to search the heart and lead the believer in the everlasting way.
- Philippians 4:8 Paul calls believers to direct their thoughts toward what is true, pure, and worthy.