Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern: Difference between revisions

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The official title of this hymn (which first appeared in 1599, is ''Ein geistlich Brautlied der gläubigen Seelen von Jesu Christo ihrem himmlischen Bräutigam, gestellet über den 45. Psalm des Propheten David'', tr. A spiritual wedding song of the faithful soul about Jesus Christ, her heavenly groom, made over the 45. psalm of the Prophet David''. With this title the hymn is placed in a long tradition of a mystical spirituality, in which the allegorical interpretation of the ''Song of Songs'' is always present.
The official title of this hymn (which first appeared in 1599, is ''Ein geistlich Brautlied der gläubigen Seelen von Jesu Christo ihrem himmlischen Bräutigam, gestellet über den 45. Psalm des Propheten David'', tr. A spiritual wedding song of the faithful soul about Jesus Christ, her heavenly groom, made over the 45. psalm of the Prophet David''. With this title the hymn is placed in a long tradition of a mystical spirituality, in which the allegorical interpretation of the ''Song of Songs'' is always present.
The hymn is also a piece of Craftmanship. The 7 verses of the hymn ''Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern'' are built on an acrostichon: '''W'''ilhelm '''E'''rnst '''G'''raf''' U'''nd '''H'''err '''Z'''u '''W'''aldeck, being a former student of Nicolai, who died 1598.  
The hymn is also a piece of Craftmanship. The 7 verses of the hymn ''Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern'' are built on an acrostichon: '''W'''ilhelm '''E'''rnst '''G'''raf''' U'''nd '''H'''err '''Z'''u '''W'''aldeck, being a former student of Nicolai, who died 1598.  
Some people also see an typographical art in it: When you align the text of the poem centered then the form of a ''cup'' appears, referring to the last supper. Si non e vero...
Some people also see typographical art in it: When you align the text of the poem centered then the form of a ''cup'' appears, referring to the last supper. Si non e vero...
The melody is generally attributed to Nicolai too.
The melody is generally attributed to Nicolai too.


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:Dem wunderschönen Bräut'gam mein,
:Dem wunderschönen Bräut'gam mein,
:In steter Liebe wallen!
:In steter Liebe wallen!
:Singet,  
:Singet, springet,
:springet,
:Jubilieret,  
:Jubilieret,  
:triumphieret,
:triumphieret,
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:Aufnehmen in das Paradeis,
:Aufnehmen in das Paradeis,
:Des klopf' ich in die Hände.
:Des klopf' ich in die Hände.
:Amen!  
:Amen! Amen!
:Amen!
:Komm, du schöne  
:Komm, du schöne  
:Freudenkrone,
:Freudenkrone,
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:My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
:My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
:For Thee my heart is pining.
:For Thee my heart is pining.
:Lowly,
:Lowly, Holy,
:Holy,
:Great and glorious,  
:Great and glorious,  
:Thou victorious
:Thou victorious
Line 78: Line 75:
:Today, tomorrow, every day,
:Today, tomorrow, every day,
:Till traveling days be ended.
:Till traveling days be ended.
:Sing out,  
:Sing out, ring out
:ring out
:Triumph glorious,  
:Triumph glorious,  
:o victorious,
:o victorious,
Line 91: Line 87:
:Wilt take me to that holy place,
:Wilt take me to that holy place,
:The home of joys supernal.
:The home of joys supernal.
:Amen,  
:Amen, Amen!
:Amen!
:Come and meet me!  
:Come and meet me!  
:Quickly greet me!
:Quickly greet me!

Revision as of 08:24, 28 December 2005

General Information

This is a hymn by Philipp Nicolai, (1556—1608), a German Lutheran Pastor, who is the author of two monumental hymns: Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme and this one. Supposedly he made this poem after a period of great torment, because of an epidemy of pestilence which had struck the village where he was pastor. The official title of this hymn (which first appeared in 1599, is Ein geistlich Brautlied der gläubigen Seelen von Jesu Christo ihrem himmlischen Bräutigam, gestellet über den 45. Psalm des Propheten David, tr. A spiritual wedding song of the faithful soul about Jesus Christ, her heavenly groom, made over the 45. psalm of the Prophet David. With this title the hymn is placed in a long tradition of a mystical spirituality, in which the allegorical interpretation of the Song of Songs is always present. The hymn is also a piece of Craftmanship. The 7 verses of the hymn Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern are built on an acrostichon: Wilhelm Ernst Graf Und Herr Zu Waldeck, being a former student of Nicolai, who died 1598. Some people also see typographical art in it: When you align the text of the poem centered then the form of a cup appears, referring to the last supper. Si non e vero... The melody is generally attributed to Nicolai too.

Settings by composers

Original text and translations

German.png German text

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Voll Gnad und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,
Die süße Wurzel Jesse!
Du Sohn Davids aus Jakobs Stamm,
Mein König und mein Bräutigam,
Hast mir mein Herz besessen,
Lieblich,
Freundlich,
Schön und herrlich,
groß und ehrlich,
reich von Gaben,
Hoch und sehr prächtig erhaben.


6. Zwingt die Saiten in Zithara
Und laßt die süße Musika
Ganz freudenreich erschallen,
Daß ich möge mit Jesulein,
Dem wunderschönen Bräut'gam mein,
In steter Liebe wallen!
Singet, springet,
Jubilieret,
triumphieret,
Dankt dem Herren!
Groß ist der König der Ehren!


7. Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh,
Daß mein Schatz ist das A und O.
Der Anfang und das Ende!
Er wird mich doch zu seinem Preis
Aufnehmen in das Paradeis,
Des klopf' ich in die Hände.
Amen! Amen!
Komm, du schöne
Freudenkrone,
Bleib nicht lange,
Deiner wart' ich mit Verlangen!


English.png English translation

1. How lovely shines the Morning Star!
The nations see and hail afar
The light in Judah shining.
Thou David's Son of Jacob's race,
My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
For Thee my heart is pining.
Lowly, Holy,
Great and glorious,
Thou victorious
Prince of graces,
Filling all the heavenly places.


6. Lift up the voice and strike the string.
Let all glad sounds of music ring
In God's high praises blended.
Christ will be with me all the way,
Today, tomorrow, every day,
Till traveling days be ended.
Sing out, ring out
Triumph glorious,
o victorious,
Chosen nation;
Praise the God of your salvation.


7. Oh, joy to know that Thou, my Friend,
Art Lord, Beginning without end,
The First and Last, Eternal!
And Thou at length, o glorious grace!
Wilt take me to that holy place,
The home of joys supernal.
Amen, Amen!
Come and meet me!
Quickly greet me!
With deep yearning
Lord, I look for Thy returning.

... tr. Henry Harbaugh


Dutch.png Dutch translation

1. Hoe helder staat de morgenster
en straalt mij tegen van zo ver,
de luister van mijn leven.
Kom tot mij, Zoon van David, kom,
mijn Koning en mijn Bruidegom,
mijn hart wil ik U geven.
Lieflijk, vriend’lijk,
schoon en heerlijk,
zo begeerlijk,
mild in ‘t geven,
stralend, vorstelijk verheven.


6. Laat al het vrolijke geluid,
van stemmen, van viool en fluit,
te zijner ere klinken.
Hij staat voor altijd aan mijn zij.
Mijn schone liefste is van mij,
in Hem wil ik verzinken.
Laat ons samen
spelen, zingen,
dansen, springen
voor de Here,
die de Koning is der ere.


7. Hoe is Hij mij zo innig na,
de Alfa en de Omega,
mijn hart doet Hij ontbranden.
Hij zal mij tot zijn lof en prijs
opnemen in zijn paradijs,
dan klap ik in de handen.
Amen, amen,
kom mij troosten,
allerschoonste,
mijn begeren,
toef niet langer. Kom, o Here.

...tr. J.W. Schulte Nordholt (Liedboek voor de Kerken, 157; Zingt Jubilate 706)