The Morning Star Upon Us Gleams

For Christmas

Words: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, Philipp Nicolai, 1597;
Translation: E. J. Palmer, 1892

Music: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, Philip Nicolai, 1599.
The melody is said to be from an older tune from Strasbourg, circa 1538.
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: 887 887 48 48

Source: John Farmer, Hymns and Chorales for Schools and Colleges (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1893), # 142, pp. 146-147.

1. The morning star upon us gleams.
How full of grace and truth His beams,
    How passing fair His splendour!
Good Shepherd, David's proper heir,
My King in heav'n, Thou dost me bear
    Upon Thy bosom tender.
        Nearest, Dearest,
    Highest, brightest,
    Thou delightest
    Still to love me,
Thou, so high enthroned above me.

2. Strike deep into this heart of mine
Thy rays of love, Thou Star divine,
    And fire its dying embers:
And grant that nought have power to part
Me from Thy Body, Lord, Who art
    The life of all Thy members.
        I stand Thy hand
    Ever taking,
    Ne'er forsaking:
    Nought shall ail me;
Bread of life, Thou wilt not fail me.

3. O holy Jesus, when the light
Of Thy dear face shines on me bright,
    Then heav'nly joy doth thrill me.
O Lord, my sure and stedfast good,
Thy Word, Thy Spirit, Body, Blood—
    With life, new life, they fill me.
        This day, I pray,
    Mercy showing,
    Grace bestowing,
    Look on me, Lord,
Thy own word is all my plea, Lord.

4. Thou, mighty Father, in Thy Son
Didst love me, ere Thou hadst begun
    This ancient world's foundation.
Thy Son hath made a friend of me,
And when in spirit Him I see
    I've done with tribulation.
        What bliss Is this!
    Where He liveth,
    Me He giveth
    Life for ever;
Nought from His love can me sever.

5. Lift up the voice and strike the string,
Let all glad sounds of music ring
    In God's high praises blended.
Christ will be with me all the way,
To-day, to-morrow, every day,
    Till travelling days be ended.
        Sing out, Ring out,
    Triumph glorious
    O victorious
    Chosen nation;
Praise the God of your salvation.

Note:

Also found in Andreas Bersagel, et al, eds., The Condordia Hymnal (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1932), #146. Four verses (1, 2, 4, 5).

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