Scripture Verse

I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

Introduction

portrait
Philipp Nicolai (1556–1608)

Words: Adapt­ed from a 17th Cen­tu­ry cen­to by Burk­hard Wies­en­mey­er. Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Fran­ces E. Cox (1812–1897).

Music: Wie schön leuch­tet Phi­lipp Ni­co­lai, 1599 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Wie­sen­mey­er or Cox (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

How lovely shines the morning star!
In twilight sky it gleams afar;
The reign of night is ended.
Creation stirs to hail the light
Whose glories now with radiance bright
Stream forth in beauty splendid.
Both far and near
All things living thanks are giving
Praise outpouring,
Earth and sky the Lord adoring.

Then haste, my soul, thy song to raise,
Delay thou not thy Lord to praise,
Bow down in adoration.
For glo­ry, Lord, to Thee belongs,
Thy praise resounds in grateful songs,
Thou Lord of all creation.
Let all recall
Hymns of gladness without sadness,
For Thy favor
And Thy mercy ne­ver waver.

Tho’ evil spirits thro’ the night
With hellish craft and watchful spite
Came round me without number,
Yet Thou, O Je­sus, with Thy power
Wast near me in that threatening hour,
Didst guard me in my slumber.
Praise be to Thee,
My contender and defender,
I’ll adore Thee
While on earth I walk before Thee.

Pour down Thy grace in cheering streams
And warm my heart with mercy’s beams
From Heav’n, Thy throne of beauty;
Thy Spi­rit ever lead and guide
That in my calling I abide
And find my joy in duty.
Send light and might
That each measure, plan and pleasure,
Heav’nward tending,
E’er in Thee may find its ending.

Keep grief, if this may be, away;
If not, Thy will be done, I pray,
My choice to Thine resigning.
Then, O my heart, cast care aside,
God through the cross His own hath tried;
Bear loss without repining.
Hope still through ill;
To God cleaving, grace receiving,
We shall wonder
At God’s goodness here and yonder.