Scripture Verse

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:10

Introduction

Words: Ar­thur T. Rus­sell, Psalms and Hymns (Cam­bridge, Eng­land: John Deigh­ton, 1851), num­ber 72.

Music: Hes­per­us Hen­ry Bak­er, 1854. First pub­lished in A Hym­nal for Use in the Eng­lish Church, by John Grey, 1866 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Rus­sell or Bak­er (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Behold the world’s re­deem­ing light
Bursts on th’en­rap­tured sag­es’ sight!
Children of faith they rise―they find
The hope and Sav­ior of man­kind.

They bless the meek and low­ly Child,
Th’in­car­nate Lord, the Mon­arch mild;
And at His feet their trea­sures pour,
And with their hearts their king adore.

O hea­ven­ly Lord! O hea­ven­ly light!
Star of ex­pir­ing na­ture’s night!
What won­ders in Thy love we trace!
What pow­er di­vine! what glo­ri­ous grace!

Hail Star of Beth­le­hem! Morn­ing Star!
Arise again and shine afar,
Till ev­ery tribe―till ev­ery land
Raise un­to Thee the sup­pli­ant hand.