Scripture Verse

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:1–2

Introduction

portrait
Martin Behm
1557–1622

Words: Mar­tin Behm, Cen­tu­ria Pre­ca­ti­o­num Rhy­thm­i­ca­rum (Wit­ten­berg, Ger­ma­ny: 1606) (O Kö­nig all­er Ehr­en). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Ca­the­rine Wink­worth, Cho­rale Book for Eng­land, 1863, num­ber 37, alt.

Music: Va­let Will Ich Dir Ge­ben Mel­chi­or Tesch­ner, 1613 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Catherine Winkworth
1827–1878

Lyrics

O Jesus, king of glory,
Both David’s Lord and Son!
Thy realm endures forever,
In Heav’n is fixed Thy throne.
Help that in earth’s dominions,
Throughout from pole to pole,
Thy reign may spread salvation,
To each benighted soul.

The eastern sages, bringing
Their tribute gifts to Thee,
Bear witness to Thy kingdom
And humbly bow the knee.
To Thee the star is pointing,
And the prophetic Word;
Hence joyously we hail Thee:
Our Savior and our Lord!

Thou art a mighty monarch,
As by Thy Word is told,
Yet carest Thou but little
For earthly goods or gold;
On no proud steed Thou ridest,
Thou wear’st no jeweled crown
Nor dwell’st in lordly castle,
But bearest scoff and frown.

Yet art Thou decked with beauty,
With rays of glorious light;
Thy works proclaim Thy goodness,
And all Thy ways are right.
Vouchsafe to shield Thy people
With Thine almighty arm
That they may dwell in safety
From those who mean them harm.

Ah, look on me with pity
Though I am weak and poor;
Admit me to Thy kingdom
To dwell there, blest and sure.
I pray Thee, guide and keep me
Safe from my bitter foes,
From sin and death and Satan;
Free me from all my woes.

And bid Thy Word within me
Shine as the fairest star;
Keep sin and all false doctrine
Forever from me far.
Help me confess Thee truly
And with Thy Christendom
Here own Thee king and Savior
And in the world to come.