During the last years of the 16th century, an experienced Lutheran pastor called Philipp Nicolai was ministering in a town called Unna in Westphalia when the Black Death swept through. During a six-month period, no fewer than nearly 1,500 of his parishioners died. At its height, he was conducting 20 to 30 burials a day.
Amongst the lovely chorales he wrote at that time, is this treasure: How Lovely Shines the Morning Star. Hugh Sung has written an exquisite new version of it, for which he has kindly given us permission. We made this live recording, sung by Gerard le Feuvre and Sarah Blamire, at the Symphony of Worship Conference in Malvern in 1998.
We are still close enough to the devastation Covid wrought around the world for the words to remain relevant within the context of plague, but they represent an early example of what became a long series in Germany of Hymns of Love to Christ as the Bridegroom of the Soul. The words of this hymn carry a power and beauty that has made them popular not only for end-of-life preparation for the transition to glory, but also at weddings and during communion – and indeed for all who find themselves facing devastating lifechanging challenges: illness, redundancy, rejection, and exclusion and so on. Highly relevant to savour them then, as we pray for the many who are currently facing deportation from the countries they have taken refuge in.
May the Lord use these words and music of this triumphant celebration of God’s care and goodness, and of our eternal future with Him, to draw close to those who are suffering.
Lowly, holy,
great and glorious,
O victorious
Prince of graces,
filling all the heav'nly places.
2 O highest joy by mortals won,
true Son of God and Mary's son,
the highborn King of ages!
In your blest body let me be,
e'en as the branch is in the tree,
your life my life supplying.
Sighing, crying
for the savor
of your favor,
resting never
till I rest in you forever.
3 O mighty Father, in your Son
you loved me ere you had begun
this ancient world's foundation.
Your Son has made a friend of me,
and when in spirit him I see,
I joy in tribulation.
What bliss is this!
He is living,
to me giving
life forever;
nothing me from him can sever.
4 Oh, joy to know that you, my friend,
are Lord, beginning without end,
the first and last, eternal!
And you at length — O glorious grace —
will take me to that holy place
the home of joys supernal.
Amen, amen!
Come and meet me,
quickly greet me!
With deep yearning,
Lord, I look for your returning.
5 Lift up the voice and strike the string,
let all glad sounds of music ring
in God's high praises blended.
Christ will be with me all the way,
today, tomorrow, ev'ry day
till trav'ling days are ended.
Sing out ring out
triumph glorious,
O victorious
chosen nation;
praise the God of your salvation.