I’m surprised by how many of these songs from the New Living Parish Hymn Book are new to me after all the collections I have looked at.
This interesting hymn is of rather convoluted origin and often used at Christmas.
The text of praise to God was written in German by Lutheran clergymen Philip Nicolai (C16) and Johan Schelegel (C18), translated by Catherine Winkworth (C19), a Unitarian feminist, and then “freely adapted” as it were and landing in a Catholic hymn book in the 1980s.
The words given here are pleasantly straightforward, although I usually associate Lucifer with being the morning star – it’s all context I suppose. I can’t find this particular set of lyrics anywhere else so maybe de Luca was doing the adapting – I think it is a good version.
The setting is WIE SCHON LEUCHTET with a melody probably written or at least adapted by Nicolai and harmonised by one J. S. Bach.
There are other translations out there and the tune varies in sources I have seen so be wary. I got the chords mostly from TIS but the note lengths in NLPHB are very different to that version.
1 How brightly beams the morning star!
The light of Christ comes from afar and thrills us with its shining.
The one who comes from David’s line,
The bridegroom and our King divine, now claims our love undying.
Your word, Jesus, truly feeds us, rightly leads us, life bestowing.
Praise, O Praise such love o’erflowing.
2 “My Lord and God” did Thomas say,
And so within our hearts alway the love of Christ is burning:
For we have seen in Jesus life,
The answer to our sad world’s strife, from him we’re never turning.
On the last day Christ will call us, and reward us, if we love him.
May we bring all peoples to him.
3 Praise God in song and praise him well,
For we are freed from Satan’s spell, to heav’n he now has called us.
The wedding feast of God’s dear son, a banquet set for everyone,
Joins in th’angelic chorus.
Sing then, ring then, tell the story of his glory till his praises
Flood with light earth’s darkest places.
This is also a version of Winkworth’s translation, never mind everyone elses:
1 How brightly gleams the morning star!
What sudden radiance from afar delights us with its shining?
God’s glory breaks upon the night, and fills our darkened souls with light,
who long for truth were pining!
Your word, Jesus, truly feeds us, rightly leads us, life bestowing.
Praise such mercy overflowing!2 By you alone can we be blessed —
then deep be on our hearts impressed the love that you have borne us.
So make us ready to fulfil with fervent zeal your holy will, though many vex or scorn us.
Saviour, let us gladly hear you, duly fear you, long to know you!
All we are and have, we owe you.3 All praise to him who comes to save,
who conquered death, and spurned the grave! Our adoration rises
to him, the Lamb who once was slain, the friend whom none shall trust in vain,
whose mercy yet surprises.
Sing, you heavens, tell the story of his glory, till his praises
flood with light earth’s darkest places!
This is roughly the melody in NLPHB and with yet another version of the text.
I can’t find a version with these lyrics, but this is a lovley choral version: