How Lovely Shines the Morning Star
How lovely shines the Morning Star
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
- 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.
Themes
Christ the Morning Star Messianic hope Divine grace and mercy Longing for Christ Light overcoming darkness