1. How lovely shines the morning star!
   In twilight sky it gleams afar;
   The reign of night is ended.
   Creation stirs to hail the light
   Whose glories now with radiance bright
   Stream forth in beauty splendid.
   Both far   And near
   All things living   Thanks are giving,
   Praise outpouring,
   Earth and sky the Lord adoring.

2. Then haste, my soul, thy song to raise,
   Delay thou not thy Lord to praise,
   Bow down in adoration.
   For glory, Lord, to Thee belongs,
   Thy praise resounds in grateful songs,
   Thou Lord of all creation.
   Let all   Recall
   Hymns of gladness   Without sadness,
   For Thy favor
   And Thy mercy never waver.

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 hands   In bands,
   Mischief brewing   For my ruin,
   Had enslaved me,
   Hadst Thou not stood by and saved me.

4. For, Jesus, Thou with saving pow’r
   Was near me in that threat’ning hour
   And warded off their fury;
   And I reposed in quiet sleep,
   Whilst Thou unwearied watch didst keep;
   To Thee all praise and glory!
   My heart’s   Best part
   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 treach’rous 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 heav’n, Thy throne of beauty;
   Thy Spirit ever lead and guide
   That in my calling I abide
   And find my joy in duty.
   Send light   And might
   That each measure,   Plan, and pleasure,
   Heav’nward tending,
   E’er in Thee may find its ending.

7. Keep grief, if this may be, away;
   If not, Thy will be done, I pray,
   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 upraisèd
   Where Thy name is ever praisèd.

8. Meanwhile, my heart, both sing and leap,
   Mid cross and loss good courage keep,
   To heav’n’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   Through ill;
   To God cleaving,   Grace receiving,
   We shall wonder
   At God’s goodness here and yonder.

Wie schön leucht uns der Morgenstern
Burkhard Wiesenmeyer, 1640
Tr. Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1864, alt.
Source: Sts. 1–2, 3b, 6–7a, 8c, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 546
Sts. 3a, 3c–5, 7b–8b, Francis Elizabeth Cox, Hymns from the German, 1864, p. 3