Die Nacht ist kommen, Drin wir ruhen sollen; Gott walt's, zum Frommen Nach sein'm Wohlgefallen, Dass wir uns legen In sein'm G'leit und Segen, Der Ruh' zu pflegen.

Treib, Herr, von uns fern Die unreinen Geister, Halt die Nachtwach' gern, Sei selbst unser Schutzherr, Schirm beid Leib und Seel' Unter deine Flügel, Send' uns dein' Engel!

The poem with a rhyming scheme of ABABCCC reflects in the first stanza that night has come as a time to rest in peace, protected and blessed by God.

The second stanza addresses God, praying for keeping away unclean spirits and protection for both body and soul by a guardian angel.

Reger set the motet for five voices (with divided bass) in B minor in common time, marked "Ziemlich langsam" (Rather slowly), mostly in homophony, reminiscent of chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The third stanza reflects pianissimo "Let us fall asleep with good thoughts", then stronger "awake happily", finally, ever broadening, the prayer that all we do may be to God's praise.