Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#339

339. O Jesus Christ, how bright and fair

1 O Jesus Christ, how bright and fair
The state of holy marriage, where
Thy blessing rich is given!
What gracious gifts Thou dost bestow,
What streams of bounty ever flow
Down from Thy holy heaven,
When they Obey
Thee, Lord, ever Leave Thee never,
Whose troth-plighted,
In one life have been united!

2 When man and wife are mated well,
In harmony together dwell
In chaste and faithful union,
Then grows their fortune with their love,
And angel visitants above
Rejoice at such communion;
No storm,
No worm
Can destroy that, Can e'er gnaw that,
What God giveth
To the pair that in Him liveth.

3 Be of good cheer, it was not we
Who first this order did decree;
It was a higher Father,
Who loved and liveth us for aye,
And from whose lips, when grieved, each day
We friendly counsel gather;
Good end
He'll send
To our doing and pursuing,
Wisely guiding
All our planning and providing.

4 A time will come, it cannot fail,
When we 'neath trials sore shall quail,
And tears be freely flowing;
To him who bears it patiently,
By God's grace shall His sorrow be
Turned into joy o'erflowing.
Waive care,
Wait, bear;
He is near thee, Who can cheer thee,
For thy sadness
He will give thee oil of gladness.

5 Come hither then, my King so bless'd!
In trials guide, in pain give rest,
In anxious times relieving!
To Thee we shall ascribe the praise,
Our hearts and voices we shall raise
In one loud song, thanks giving,
Till we
With Thee
Shall be dwelling And there telling
Thy praise ever,
Nevermore from Thee to sever.

Text Information

• First Line: O Jesus Christ, how bright and fair
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1666)
• Translator: John Kelly (1867)
• Meter: No. 45
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: The Christian Household; Second Sunday after Epiphany
• Notes: Now Public Domain. From the German text: Wie schoen ist doch, Herr Jesu Christ

Tune Information

• Name: NICOLAI (WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET DER MORGENSTERN)
• Composer: Philipp Nicolai (1599)
• Meter: No. 45
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Public Domain.