Scripture Verse

I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

Introduction

portrait
William P. Merrill
1867–1954

Words: Phi­lip Dodd­ridge (1702–1751). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Found­ed on Va­ri­ous Texts in the Ho­ly Scrip­tures, by Job Or­ton (Shrop­shire, Eng­land: Jo­shua Ed­dowes & John Cot­ton, 1755), num­ber 359: Christ the root and off­spring of Da­vid, and the morn­ing-star.

Music: Sol­diers of Christ Will­iam P. Mer­rill, 1895 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Snowfield, Lo­well Ma­son, Car­mi­na Sac­ra, (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: John H. Wil­kins & Ri­chard B. Car­ter, 1844) (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Philip Doddridge
1702–1751

Lyrics

All hail, mysterious King!
Hail, David’s ancient root!
Thou righteous Branch,
Which thence did spring,
To give the nations fruit.

Our weary souls shall rest
Beneath Thy grateful shade;
Our thirsting lips
Salvation taste;
Our fainting hearts are glad.

Fair Morning-Star, arise,
With living glories bright,
And pour on these
Awakening eyes
A flood of sacred light.

The horrid gloom is fled,
Pierced by Thy beauteous ray;
Shine, and our wand’ring
Footsteps lead
To everlasting day.