The Father, from eternity

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The Father, from eternity

Author: Philipp Nicolai (1598)
Tune: WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET
Published in 2 hymnals

Piano/Organ
	Three for Epiphany

Choral
	O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright - (C…

Instrumental
	Preludes for Flute and Organ

Representative Text

1 The Father, from eternity,
Chose us, O Jesus Christ, in Thee.
In Thee, His well-beloved:
And we, as given to Thee--Thy bride,
In Thee, Lord Jesus, can confide:
Thy love remains unmoved.
From Thee daily
Strength receiving--to Thee cleaving,
Blessed Jesus.
May we all show forth Thy praises.

2 Before the world we'd make our boast,
That Thou, in whom is all our trust,
Art Lord of life and glory;
And soon Thou'lt bring us to that place
Where we shall see Thee face to face,
And, glorified, adore Thee.
Amen!--Be then
Praise and blessing--never ceasing
To Thee given
Here and when we come to heaven.

Source: A Few Hymns and Some Spiritual Songs. Selected 1856, for the Little Flock. Revised, 1881 #31

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Author: Philipp Nicolai

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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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	The Father, from eternity
Original Language:	German
Author:	Philipp Nicolai (1598)
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Tune

WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET

Adapting a tune written for Psalm 100 found in Wolff Köphel's Psalter (1538), Nicolai composed WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET, which was published with the text in 1599. Although the tune was originally more varied rhythmically, the hymnal version here is isorhythmic (all equal rhythms) and set to the rich ha…

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