I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
Revelation 22:16
Words: Philipp Nicolai, 1597 (Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern). Translated from German to English by William Mercer (1811–1873).
Music: Wie schön leuchtet Philipp Nicolai, 1599 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Mercer (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
How bright appears the morning star,
With mercy beaming from afar!
The host of Heav’n rejoices!
O righteous Branch! O Jesse’s Rod!
Thou Son of Man, and Son of God!
We too will lift our voices
Jesus! Jesus! Holy, holy! yet most lowly!
Draw Thou near us:
Great Emmanuel! stoop and hear us!
Rejoice, ye heav’ns, thou earth, reply!
With praise, ye sinners, fill the sky!
For this His incarnation!
Incarnate God, put forth Thy power,
Ride on, ride on, great Conqueror,
Till all know Thy salvation.
Amen, amen! Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise be given
Evermore, by earth and Heaven.