How Lovely Shines the Morning Star
How lovely shines the Morning Star
How Lovely Shines the Morning Star is a hymn text by Philipp Nicolai (1599) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by William Gustafson. Found in CW21 370, CW93 79, ELH 167, elw 569.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecy and the source of salvation's joy. It reflects the eschatological hope central to Lutheran piety, celebrating both Christ's incarnation and anticipated return while emphasizing the comfort of His present grace.
History & Background
Philipp Nicolai composed this hymn in 1599 as part of his devotional work emphasizing Christ's return and the joy of salvation. It was published in his Freudenspiegel des ewigen Lebens (1599) and became one of the most beloved Lutheran hymns, with numerous English translations produced from the 19th century onward.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 370
- Christian Worship — 79
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 167
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 569
- Glory to God — 827
- The Hymnal 1982 — 496
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 76
- Lutheran Service Book — 395
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 69
- Lutheran Worship — 73
- Trinity Hymnal — 249
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 343, 546
- Voices Together — 178
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Philipp Nicolai in 1599, this hymn expresses the Lutheran conviction that Christ fulfills all messianic promise and is the Church's comfort and joy—both in his incarnation and his promised return.
Preaching Connection
This hymn perfectly embodies the Law-Gospel movement: it awakens us to our spiritual longing, then floods that longing with the joyful proclamation that Christ himself is our answer and our hope.
Background Research
TLH 546. Burkhard Wiesenmeyer's morning hymn of c. 1640, an adaptation ("ad.") of Philipp Nicolai's "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (1597/99). It reuses Nicolai's opening and tune WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET but turns the bridal hymn on Psalm 45 into a daybreak song (Hymnary LH1941/546: Times and Seasons, Morning). It is distinct from TLH 343, the composite translation of Nicolai's own hymn. English by Frances E. Cox (1864), alt. Background on the source hymn: Nicolai's original has an acrostic on Wilhelm Ernst, Count of Waldeck, his pupil who died of plague at 15 (Lutheran Chorale Book, on TLH 343). Nothing is known of Wiesenmeyer beyond the 17th century; a biography lead is still needed.
Overview
Not Nicolai's hymn (TLH 343) but a morning hymn by Burkhard Wiesenmeyer that borrows Nicolai's opening line and tune. The morning star shines and creation hails the light (st. 1); haste, my soul, to praise (st. 2); though evil spirits surrounded me in the night, Jesus guarded my slumber — 'My Contender And Defender' (st. 3); pour grace on me so that I abide in my calling and find joy in duty (st. 4); keep grief away if possible, if not, your will be done — 'God through the cross His own hath tried' (st. 5).
Central theme: Morning praise for Christ's protection in the night, leading to faithful vocation and trust under the cross
Structure
Five ten-line stanzas in Nicolai's meter with internal rhymes. Daybreak (1) — praise (2) — night protection (3) — vocation (4) — cross (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: evil spirits; grief; the cross (3, 5). Gospel: 'Thou, O Jesus, with Thy power / Wast near me'; 'Grace receiving' (3, 5).
Confessional Connections
Lam 3:22-23 (TLH's text). St. 3: spiritual forces of evil at night (Eph 6:12) — Luther's Evening Prayer: 'Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me'; Christ is our 'Contender and Defender.' St. 4: 'That in my calling I abide / And find my joy in duty' — the Lutheran doctrine of vocation (AC XVI, XXVII; 1 Cor 7:20). St. 5: 'Keep grief, if this may be, away; / If not, Thy will be done' — the pattern of Gethsemane; 'God through the cross His own hath tried' (1 Pet 1:6-7; theology of the cross).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Morning; Matins; Epiphany (tune).
Historical Notes
Wiesenmeyer (17th century) wrote it c. 1640 as a morning song on Nicolai's tune. Frances Cox translated it in 1864.
About the Tune
WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN (Philipp Nicolai, 1599).
Scripture References
Lam 3:22-23 Rev 22:16 Ps 19:1-6 Ps 148 Ps 103:1-2 Eph 6:12 Ps 91:5-6 Ps 4:8 Rom 8:14 1 Cor 7:20 Col 3:23 Matt 26:39 1 Pet 1:6-7 Rom 8:28
Stanza by Stanza
How lovely the morning star shines! It gleams far off in the twilight sky; the reign of night is over. Creation stirs to greet the light whose glories stream out in splendid beauty. Near and far all living things are giving thanks, pouring out praise, earth and sky adoring the Lord.
'The heavens declare the glory of God… the sun… like a bridegroom' (Ps 19:1-5). 'Praise him, sun and moon' (Ps 148:3). Christ the morning star (Rev 22:16).
- Scripture
- Ps 19:1-6, Ps 148, Rev 22:16
- Imagery & language
- Morning star; night ended; creation praising.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — creation's praise.
- Connection to previous
- Daybreak.
Then hurry, my soul, to raise your song; do not delay praising your Lord; bow down in worship. For glory belongs to you, Lord; your praise resounds in grateful songs, Lord of all creation. Let all recall songs of gladness without sadness for your favor, and your mercy never wavers.
'Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits' (Ps 103:2).
- Scripture
- Ps 103:1-2, Ps 95:6
- Imagery & language
- Haste; praise; adoration; mercy never wavers.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — unwavering mercy.
- Connection to previous
- Haste to praise.
Though evil spirits came around me without number through the night with hellish cunning and watchful spite, yet you, Jesus, were near me with your power in that threatening hour and guarded me in my sleep. Praise be to you, my Champion and Defender; I will adore you while I walk before you on earth.
'Against the spiritual forces of evil' (Eph 6:12). 'You will not fear the terror of the night' (Ps 91:5). 'In peace I will both lie down and sleep' (Ps 4:8). SC Evening Prayer.
- Scripture
- Eph 6:12, Ps 91:5-6, Ps 4:8
- Imagery & language
- Evil spirits; night; Jesus near; Contender and Defender.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — spiritual danger; Gospel — Christ's guarding.
- Connection to previous
- Guarded in sleep.
Pour down your grace in cheering streams and warm my heart with mercy's rays from heaven, your beautiful throne; let your Spirit always lead and guide me so that I remain in my calling and find my joy in duty. Send light and strength so that every measure, plan and pleasure, tending toward heaven, may always find its end in you.
'All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God' (Rom 8:14). 'Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called' (1 Cor 7:20). AC XVI.
- Scripture
- Rom 8:14, 1 Cor 7:20, Col 3:23
- Imagery & language
- Grace; Spirit; calling; joy in duty; heavenward.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace for vocation.
- Connection to previous
- In my calling.
Keep grief away, if possible; if not, your will be done, I pray, giving up my choice to yours. Then, my heart, cast care aside; God has tested his own through the cross; bear loss without complaining. Keep hoping through trouble; clinging to God and receiving grace, we will marvel at God's goodness here and hereafter.
'If it be possible, let this cup pass… nevertheless, not as I will' (Matt 26:39). 'Tested by fire' (1 Pet 1:7). 'All things work together for good' (Rom 8:28).
- Scripture
- Matt 26:39, 1 Pet 1:6-7, Rom 8:28
- Imagery & language
- Grief; Thy will; cross tries; loss; hope; goodness.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — the cross; Gospel — grace and hope.
- Connection to previous
- Thy will.
Lift up your voice and strike the strings; let all glad sounds of music ring together in God's praise. Christ will be with me all the way, today, tomorrow, every day, until my traveling days are over. Sing out, ring out the glorious triumph, victorious chosen nation; praise the God of your salvation.
'Praise him with lute and harp' (Ps 150:3). 'I am with you always' (Matt 28:20). 'A chosen race' (1 Pet 2:9).
- Scripture
- Ps 150, Matt 28:20, 1 Pet 2:9
- Imagery & language
- Music; Christ all the way; chosen nation.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ's abiding presence.
- Connection to previous
- Strike the string.
What joy to know that you, my Friend, are Lord, the beginning without end, the First and the Last, eternal! And at last — what glorious grace! — you will take me to that holy place, the home of heavenly joys. Amen, Amen!
'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end' (Rev 22:13; 1:8). 'I will come again and will take you to myself' (John 14:3).
- Scripture
- Rev 1:8, Rev 22:13, John 14:3
- Imagery & language
- Friend; Beginning without end; holy place; Amen.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eternal home.
- Connection to previous
- Amen.
Themes
Christ the Morning Star Messianic hope Divine grace and mercy Longing for Christ Light overcoming darkness