"How Lovely Shines the Morning Star"
                         by Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608
                                  Text From:
                      THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
                 (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)
                                       


	1. How lovely shines the Morning Star!
	The nations see and hail afar
	The light in Judah shining.
	Thou David's Son of Jacob's race,
	My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
	For Thee my heart is pining.
	Lowly, Holy,
	Great and glorious, Thou victorious
	Prince of graces,
	Filling all the heavenly places.
	
	2. O highest joy by mortals won,
	True Son of God and Mary's Son,
	Thou high-born King of ages!
	Thou art my heart's most beauteous Flower,
	And Thy blest Gospel's saving power
	My raptured soul engages.
	Thou mine, I Thine;
	Sing hosanna! Heavenly manna
	Tasting, eating,
	Whilst Thy love in songs repeating.
	
	3. Now richly to my waiting heart,
	O Thou, my God, deign to impart
	The grace of love undying.
	In Thy blest body let me be,
	E'en as the branch is in the tree,
	Thy life my life supplying.
	Sighing, Crying.
	For the savor Of Thy favor;
	Resting never,
	Till I rest in Thee forever.
	
	4. A pledge of peace from God I see
	When Thy pure eyes are turned to me
	To show me Thy good pleasure.
	Jesus, Thy Spirit and Thy Word,
	Thy body and Thy blood, afford
	My soul its dearest treasure.
	Keep me Kindly
	In Thy favor, O my Savior!
	Thou wilt cheer me;
	Thy Word calls me to draw near Thee.
	
	5. Thou, mighty Father, in Thy Son
	Didst love me ere Thou hadst begun
	This ancient world's foundation.
	Thy Son hath made a friend of me,
	And when in spirit Him I see,
	I joy in tribulation.
	What bliss Is this!
	He that liveth To me giveth
	Life forever;
	Nothing me from Him can sever.
	
	6. Lift up the voice and strike the string.
	Let all glad sounds of music ring
	In God's high praises blended.
	Christ will be with me all the way,
	Today, tomorrow, every day,
	Till traveling days be ended.
	Sing out, Ring out
	Triumph glorious, O victorious,
	Chosen nation;
	Praise the God of your salvation.
	
	7. Oh, joy to know that Thou, my Friend,
	Art Lord, Beginning without end,
	The First and Last, Eternal!
	And Thou at length--O glorious grace!--
	Wilt take me to that holy place,
	The home of joys supernal.
	Amen, Amen!

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #343 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Rev. 22:16
        Author: Philipp Nicolai, 1597
        Translated by: composite
        Titled: "Wie schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern"
        Composer: Philipp Nicolai, 1599
        Tune: "Wie schoen leuchtet"