O MORNING STAR, HOW FAIR AND BRIGHT
"I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
Revelation 22:16
Words: Philip Nicolai, 1597. Nicolai was pastor at Unna, Germany, when
the bubonic plague was terrorizing Europe. After seeing 30 graves dug in
a single day, he felt compelled to write; these words were first
published two years later in his Freudenspiegel des ewigen Lebens
(Joyous Mirror of Eternal Life). Catherine Winkworth translated the
lyrics from German to English in 1863.
Music: Philip Nicolai, 1599; harmony by Johann Sebastian Bach, circa
1731.
O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
Thou beamest forth in truth and light,
O Sovereign meek and lowly!
Thou Root of Jesse, David's Son,
My Lord and Master, Thou hast won
My heart to serve Thee solely!
Thou art holy,
Fair and glorious, all victorious, rich in blessing
Rule and might over all possessing.
Thou heavenly Brightness! Light divine!
O deep within my heart now shine,
And make Thee there an altar!
Fill me with joy and strength to be
Thy member, ever, joined to Thee
In love that cannot falter;
Toward Thee longing
Doth possess me; turn and bless me; here in sadness
Eye and heart long for Thy gladness!