I. How bright appears the Morning-Star,
With Grace and Truth beyond Compare,
The Royal root of JESSE;
O David's Son, of Jacob's Line!
My Soul's Delight, and Spouse Divine,
Thy Love can only bless me.
Precious, Gracious,
Far and Glorious, e'er victorious,
Thou my Treasure,
Far beyond all earthly Pleasure.
II. My choicest Pearl, and precious Crown,
God and the Virgin Mary's Son,
Thou King of endless Glory!
Thou art compar'd to Sharon's flow'r;
Thy Gospel and its saving Pow'r
Excells what's Transitory.
Lovely Lilly,
O Hosanna, Heav'nly Manna,
Thy sweet Favour
Be mine everlasting Savour.
III. Thy Love, so pow'rful and divine,
Dart deep into this Heart of mine,
Thou brilliant Stone and Jewel!
Confirm me more and more to be
A Branch of Thee, the living Tree,
That Self may lose its Fewel.
Sighing, Dying
Is thy Creature; for in Nature
Is no Pleasure
Without Thee, my King and Treasure.
IV. From God descends a Glance of Joy.
When thou, with thy most gracious Eye,
Beholdst thy loving Creature:
Immanuel! my sov'reign Good,
Thy Word, thy Spirit, Flesh and Blood
Renew my very Nature;
Grant me sweetly
Thine Embraces, that the Graces
Of Salvation
May root out all Depravation.
V. Thou Father, from Eternity,
In Mercy was inclin'd to me,
Through CHRIST, thy well-beloved;
Thy son has chose me for his Bride;
In this my Spouse I can confide;
My Love shall ne'er be moved.
O! this Bliss is
Of his giving, who's the Living
Bread and Manna;
Ever will I sing HOSANNA.
VI. Tune all your Strings of Lute and Harp,
Resolve the Notes of Flat and Sharp
Into Celestial Concords,
That Nothing may disturb my Frame,
Which is wrapt up in JESUS' Name,
The sweetest of all Comforts.
Ringing, Singing,
In your Praises, let the Phrases
Of your Duty
Please the Lord of Bliss and Beauty.
VII. My Joy to all the World be known,
That my Beloved keeps his Throne,
On Hills of Light and Glory.
He'll kindly bring me to that Place,
Where all the Wonders of his Grace
Shall lie disclos'd before me.
Amen! Amen!
Lord my Sov'reign! come and govern
All the Nations;
Come! I wait with great Impatience.
Source: Psalmodia Germanica: or, The German Psalmody: translated from the high Dutch together with their proper tunes and thorough bass (2nd ed., corr. and enl.) #162
Philipp Nicolai (b. Mengeringhausen, Waldeck, Germany, 1556; d. Hamburg, Germany, 1608) lived an eventful life–he fled from the Spanish army, sparred with Roman Catholic and Calvinist opponents, and ministered to plague-stricken congregations. Educated at Wittenberg University, he was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1583 in the city of Herdecke. However, he was soon at odds with the Roman Catholic town council, and when Spanish troops arrived to reestablish Roman dominance, Nicolai fled. In 1588 he became chief pastor at Altwildungen and court preacher to Countess Argaretha of Waldeck. During that time Nicolai battled with Calvinists, who disagreed with him about the theology of the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. These doctri… Go to person page >
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