288. How lovely now the morning-star

1 HOW lovely now the morning-star
In twilight sky bright gleams afar,
While night her curtain raiseth;
Each creature hails, with ravished sight,
The glories of returning light,
And God its Maker praiseth.
Both far, And near,
All things living Thanks are giving,
There high soaring,
Here through earth's wide field adoring.

2 Then haste, my soul, thy song to raise,
Nor spare in thy Redeemer's praise
To pour thy due oblation;
For glory, Lord, to Thee belongs,
Thy praise resounds in grateful songs,
With pious emulation,
Joy rings Glad strings:
Voices sounding, Hearts rebounding,
Thus all nature
Sings Thy praise, O great Creator.

3 Unconscious, I securely slept,
Nor saw the cruel foes which kept
Close watch about my slumber;
Though evil spirits, through the night,
With hellish craft and watchful spite,
Came round me without number;
Whose hand In bands,
Mischief brewing For my ruin,
Had enslaved me,
Hadst not Thou stood by and saved me.

4 For, Jesus, Thou with saving power
Wast near me in that threatening hour,
Didst save me from their fury;
And I reposed in quiet sleep,
Whilst Thou unwearied watch didst keep;
To Thee all praise and glory!
Lord, all My soul,
Upward springing, Loudly singing,
Shall adore Thee,
While on earth I walk before Thee.

5 This day my Fortress, Lord, abide,
Now ope Thy gates of mercy wide,
Within their shelter place me;
My Castle and my Rock Thou art,
O let no foeman's treacherous dart
From Thee, my Stronghold, chase me.
Help, Lord, Afford!
Near me tarry, Blows to parry,
While around me
Sword and arrow sore confound me.

6 Pour down Thy grace in cheering streams,
And warm my heart with mercy's beams
From heaven, Thy throne of beauty;
Let Thy good Spirit guide my will,
That I, whate'er my station, still
May seek my joy in duty.
Send light And might
That each measure, Scheme and pleasure,
Heavenward tending,
Still in Thee may find its ending.

7 Keep grief, if this may be, away;
If not, Thy will be done, I say,
My choice to Thine resigning.
O come, and like the morning dew
Refresh my heart, and make it new,
That I may unrepining,
Bear cross And loss,
Till that morrow Chase all sorrow,
When upraiséd
Where Thy name is ever praiséd.

8 Meanwhile, my heart, both sing and leap,
Mid cross and loss good courage keep,
To heaven's bright gate you hasten;
Then lay desponding care aside,
God ever thus His own hath tried,
And those He loves doth chasten;
Hope still Midst ill,
Calm, though grieving, Firm believing
Tribulation
Is the road to sure salvation.

Text Information
First Line: How lovely now the morning-star
Meter: 8,8,7,4,8.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1893
Topic: Morning
Notes: F. E. Cox, Tr. a.; German: Wie schoen leucht't uns der Morgenstern - B. Wiesenmeyer, 1653
Tune Information
(No tune information)



Media
More media are available on the text authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us