The Sun Arises Now
The sun arises now
The Sun Arises Now is a hymn text by Lazarus Spengler (1524) in L.M. meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in lw 336, tlh 542. Sung to ERHALT UNS, HERR.
This hymn embodies Lutheran confidence in God's providential care and the connection between creation and redemption through Christ's resurrection. It reflects the Reformation emphasis on God's sustaining grace in daily life and the believer's responsive gratitude.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by Lazarus Spengler during the early Lutheran Reformation, this hymn reflects the renewed emphasis on God's care and the believer's daily trust in divine providence. It became widely distributed through Lutheran hymnals and appears in multiple English translations from the 19th century onward.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 336
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 542
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Lazarus Spengler in 1524, this Lutheran morning hymn connects creation's daily renewal with Christ's resurrection, embodying the Reformation's conviction that God's grace sustains ordinary life.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of human dependence into Gospel proclamation: each dawn declares not our weakness but God's unwavering commitment to renew and sustain His people through Christ.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (external threats to faith) → Gospel (Christ's lordship and defense) → Spirit (eschatological comfort and final victory)
Overview
A Danish morning hymn by Thomas Kingo (compare TLH 207). The sun rises and gilds the hoary mountains — be glad, my soul, and sing (st. 1); beyond the sands and as wide as sea and land is the grace Christ gives each day, flowing into my soul like refreshing rain each morning (st. 2); keep me from sin and blindness, fill my heart with joy (st. 3); you know my needs and lead your own — what more could I want than to follow where you guide? (st. 4).
Central theme: Morning praise for Christ's measureless daily grace and trust in his guidance
Structure
Four nine-line stanzas (6.5.6.5.6.5.6.6.5). Sunrise (1) — measureless grace (2) — protection (3) — guidance (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'sin and blindness' (3). Gospel: grace 'Beyond all measure… Each morning floweth'; 'Thine own Thou leadest' (2, 4).
Confessional Connections
Ps 145:15 (TLH's text): 'The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.' St. 2: grace 'Like countless grains of sand… Which… Each morning floweth' — 'from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace' (John 1:16); daily grace, not earned. St. 4: 'Thou knowest best my needs' (Matt 6:8) — trust in providence (SC First Article). Kingo's characteristic union of nature imagery and Gospel.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Morning; summer; daily devotion.
Historical Notes
Kingo (1634-1703), Danish bishop; Aandelige Siunge-Koor (1674-1681; TLH gives 1699 for this cento). Paulsen translated it c. 1925 for the Danish-American church.
About the Tune
NU RINDER SOLEN OP (Hartnack O. K. Zinck, 1801; Koralbog).
Scripture References
Ps 145:15 Ps 19:4-6 Ps 104:1-2 Gen 22:17 John 1:16 Lam 3:22-23 Hos 6:3 Ps 5:8 Matt 6:8 Ps 23:1-3 Ps 73:25
Stanza by Stanza
The sun rises now in light and glory and gilds the rugged brows of grey mountains. Be glad, my soul, and lift your voice in singing to God from the earth below, your heart glowing with joy and praises ringing.
'The sun… comes out like a bridegroom… its rising is from the end of the heavens' (Ps 19:4-6). 'Covering yourself with light as with a garment' (Ps 104:2).
- Scripture
- Ps 19:4-6, Ps 104:1-2
- Imagery & language
- Sun rising; mountains; glad soul; singing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — creation's praise.
- Connection to previous
- Sunrise.
Like countless grains of sand, beyond all measure, and wide as sea and land, is heaven's treasure of grace that Christ my Lord gives each day, which flows into my soul again each morning like refreshing rain.
'As the sand that is on the seashore' (Gen 22:17). 'From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace' (John 1:16). 'He will come to us as the showers' (Hos 6:3). 'New every morning' (Lam 3:23).
- Scripture
- Gen 22:17, John 1:16, Hos 6:3, Lam 3:22-23
- Imagery & language
- Countless sand; heaven's treasure; grace daily; refreshing rain.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — measureless grace.
- Connection to previous
- Grace like rain.
Keep my soul today from sin and blindness; surround me on my way with loving-kindness and fill my heart, God, with joy from heaven; then I will ask no more than what you have given in wisdom of old.
'Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness… make your way straight before me' (Ps 5:8). SC Morning Prayer: 'keep me this day also from sin.'
- Scripture
- Ps 5:8, Ps 16:11
- Imagery & language
- Kept from sin and blindness; loving-kindness; joy.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sin; Gospel — kept.
- Connection to previous
- Keep me.
You know my needs best; you heed my sighs; your hand feeds your children; you lead your own. What more should I want, with you deciding the course I must take, than to follow in the path where you are guiding?
'Your Father knows what you need before you ask him' (Matt 6:8). 'He leads me' (Ps 23:2-3). 'Whom have I in heaven but you?' (Ps 73:25).
- Scripture
- Matt 6:8, Ps 23:1-3, Ps 73:25
- Imagery & language
- Needs known; children fed; Thine own led; follow.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — providence and guidance.
- Connection to previous
- Thou leadest.
Themes
Resurrection and new life God's providence Daily renewal in Christ Creation and redemption Trust in God's care