The Star Proclaims the King Is Here

Words: "Hostis Herodis Impie" from "Paean Alphabeticus de Cristo," Sedulius
Translated by John M. Neale (1818-1866), 1852

Text: Matt. 2:9 (KJV)
When they had heard the king, they departed;
and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them,
till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Tune: Wo Gott zum Haus, J. Klug, Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1533
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: LM

1. The star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
He takes no realms of earth away
Who gives the realms of heavenly day.

2. The wiser Magi see from far
And follow on His guiding star;
And led by light, to light they press
And by their gifts their God confess.

3. Within the Jordan's crystal flood
In meekness stands the Lamb of God
And, sinless, sanctifies the wave,
Mankind from sin to cleanse and save.

4. At Cana first His power is shown;
His might the blushing waters own
And, changing as He speaks the word,
Flow wine, obedient to their Lord.

5. All glory, Jesus, be to Thee
For this Thy glad epiphany;
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.

Notes: Hymn #131 from The Lutheran Hymnal (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941). This text was converted to ASCII format for Project Wittenberg  by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. For more information about Project Wittenberg, contact Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA.

Translations

• How Vain The Cruel Herod's Fear, John Mason Neale & Editors, Hymns Ancient and Modern
• The Star Proclaims The King Is Here, John Mason Neale
• Was fürchtst du Feind Herodes sehr, Martin Luther
• When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known, John Mason Neale
• When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known (The first verse in this version is trans. The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada, Copyright, 1971)
• Why Doth That Impius Herod Fear. Hymns Ancient And Modern
• Why Herod, Unrelenting Foe, Translator Unknown
• Why, Impious Herod Shouldst Thou Fear, Percy Dearmer
• Why, Impious Herod, Vainly Fear, John Mason Neale

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