Scripture Verse

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Introduction

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Paul Gerhardt
1607–1676

Words: Paul Ger­hardt, in Prax­is Pi­e­ta­tis Me­li­ca, third ed­i­tion, by Jo­hann Crü­ger, 1648 (Nun ruh­en al­le Wäld­er). Pa­ra­phrased by Ro­bert S. Bridg­es, 1899.

Music: Inns­bruck Hein­rich Isaac, 1490, pub­lished 1539. Adapt­ed and har­mo­nized by Jo­hann S. Bach (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Johann S. Bach
1685–1750

Lyrics

The duteous day now closeth,
Each flower and tree reposeth,
Shade creeps o’er wild and wood:
Let us, as night is falling,
On God our Maker calling,
Give thanks to Him, the Giver good.

Now all the heav’nly splendor
Breaks forth in starlight tender
From myriad worlds unknown;
And man, the marvel seeing,
Forgets his selfish being,
For joy of beauty not his own.

His care he drowneth yonder,
Lost in the abyss of wonder;
To Heav’n his soul doth steal:
This life he disesteemeth,
The day it is that dreameth,
That doth from truth his vision seal.

Awhile his mortal blindness
May miss God’s lovingkindness,
And grope in faithless strife:
But when life’s day is over
Shall death’s fair night discover
The fields of everlasting life.