"How Lovely Shines the Morning Star"
                     by Burkhard Wiesenmeyer, 17th Century
                    Translated by Frances E. Cox, 1812-1897
                                  Text From:
                      THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
              (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942) p.387



        1. 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.

        2. 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.

        3. Though evil spirits through 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.

        4. Pour down Thy grace in cheering streams
        And warm my heart with mercy's beams
        From heaven, 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,
        Heavenward tending,
        E'er in Thee may find its ending.

        5. 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.

        

        Notes from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Hymn #546 
        Text: Lam. 3:22,23
        Author: Burkhard Wiesenmeyer, 1640, ad., alt.
        Translated by: Frances E. Cox, 1864, alt.
        Titled: "Wie schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern"
        Composer: Philipp Nicolai,1599
        Tune: "Wie schoen leuchtet"        
        

          

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