Philipp Nicolai is the author and composer of what has been called the “King of Chorales” (“Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”) and the “Queen of Chorales.” The Queen of Chorales, “How Lovely Shines the Morning Star” (TLH 343) is the hymn we are studying this week. It is an excellent hymn which teaches the love of Christ, and especially of our salvation in Him.
Nilolai’s seven original German stanzas of “How Lovely Shines the Morning Star” are an acrostic tribute to his friend and former student in Waldeck. The first letters of those seven verses are W,E,G,V,H,Z,W, which stands for “Willhelm Ernst, Graf vnd Herr zu Waldeck” (William Ernest, count and lord in Waldeck).
Nicolai has wonderfully captured the Christian faith in this hymn as he shows Christ’s love for His Bride, the Church. He constantly makes both obvious and hidden allusions to the Lord’s Supper, which is Christ’s way of feeding and preserving all of us. Ultimately our greatest joy is in Christ, the First and Last, who will transport us to His happy home where we will be with Him forever in the greatest joy. Until that day, we look for His returning with deep and eager yearning.
Oh Christian, rejoice in the salvation that is yours through Christ, your Morning Star. Sing praise to your Bridegroom, who feeds and nourishes your faith through Word and Sacrament. Proclaim the His praises, this weekend and throughout your life!
