Sounding the Scriptures

Episode Three of "Behind the Hymn: Stories of the Hymns We Love to Sing: Philipp Nicolai." Today's episode featured Nicolai's hymns "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright" (LSB 395) and "Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying" (LSB 516). "O Morning Star" - the Queen of the Lutheran Chorale - is a beloved Epiphany hymn, but you may not realize that the "Star" is not referring to the star that led the magi to Bethlehem. So, what is this "Morning Star"? This Morning Star is in fact Jesus Christ, who in Revelation 22:16 identifies Himself as "the bright morning star." In stanza two, Nicolai tells of another Biblical allusion as a name for Jesus: "Come, heavenly Bridegroom." Stanzas five and six are among the greatest in Lutheran hymnwriting as they express the joyful expectation of an eternity in the very presence of Jesus, the One who "ransomed us in love." The sixth stanza is also rich with references to Revelation: "First and last, the end and the beginning," and finally, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." To listen to the hymn, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIfMy... 1 O Morning Star, how fair and bright! You shine with God’s own truth and light, Aglow with grace and mercy! Of Jacob’s race, King David’s son, Our Lord and master, You have won Our hearts to serve You only! Lowly, holy! Great and glorious, All victorious, Rich in blessing! Rule and might o’er all possessing! 2 Come, heav’nly Bridegroom, Light divine, And deep within our hearts now shine; There light a flame undying! In Your one body let us be As living branches of a tree, Your life our lives supplying. Now, though daily Earth’s deep sadness May perplex us And distress us, Yet with heav’nly joy You bless us. 3 Lord, when You look on us in love, At once there falls from God above A ray of purest pleasure. Your Word and Spirit, flesh and blood Refresh our souls with heav’nly food. You are our dearest treasure! Let Your mercy Warm and cheer us! O draw near us! For You teach us God’s own love through You has reached us. 4 Almighty Father, in Your Son You loved us when not yet begun Was this old earth’s foundation! Your Son has ransomed us in love To live in Him here and above: This is Your great salvation. Alleluia! Christ the living, To us giving Life forever, Keeps us Yours and fails us never! 5 O let the harps break forth in sound! Our joy be all with music crowned, Our voices gladly blending! For Christ goes with us all the way— Today, tomorrow, ev’ry day! His love is never ending! Sing out! Ring out! Jubilation! Exultation! Tell the story! Great is He, the King of Glory! 6 What joy to know, when life is past, The Lord we love is first and last, The end and the beginning! He will one day, oh, glorious grace, Transport us to that happy place Beyond all tears and sinning! Amen! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of gladness! We are yearning For the day of Your returning! Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: CPH Limited Promotional License no. 119000000 _________________________________ "Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying" - the King of the Lutheran Chorale - opens with watchmen high on the battlements of a castle shouting, "Awake, Jerusalem," just as they would do if the city were being invaded. But, instead, this is a joyful shout for the Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13) -- the resurrected, ascended and returning Jesus! The second stanza tells of the watchmen no longer shouting, but singing. The news of Jesus' return is so joyous that they begin to sing the good news, rather than shout. The Church then rises from her gloom as Jesus takes the Church to paradise. The third stanza tells of the joy no one has ever seen or heard before. To listen to the hymn, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNYJt... 1 “Wake, awake, for night is flying,” The watchmen on the heights are crying; “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices: “Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise? The Bridegroom comes, awake! Your lamps with gladness take! Alleluia! With bridal care Yourselves prepare To meet the Bridegroom, who is near.” 2 Zion hears the watchmen singing, And all her heart with joy is springing; She wakes, she rises from her gloom. For her Lord comes down all-glorious, The strong in grace, in truth victorious; Her star is ris’n, her light is come. Now come, Thou Blessèd One, Lord Jesus, God’s own Son, Hail! Hosanna! We enter all The wedding hall To eat the Supper at Thy call. 3 Now let all the heav’ns adore Thee, Let saints and angels sing before Thee With harp and cymbals’ clearest tone. Of one pearl each shining portal, Where, joining with the choir immortal, We gather round Thy radiant throne. No eye has seen the light, No ear has heard the might Of Thy glory; Therefore will we Eternally Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee! Text: Public domain