Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

"Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (How lovely shines the morning star) is a Lutheran hymn by Philipp Nicolai written in 1597 and first published in 1599. It inspired musical settings through centuries, notably Bach's chorale cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, but also vocal and instrumental works by Baroque composers, Peter Cornelius, Felix Mendelssohn, Max Reger, Hugo Distler, Ernst Pepping, Mauricio Kagel and Naji Hakim.

Nicolai wrote the text in response to a pestilence in 1597. The hymn, in seven stanzas, is based on Psalm 45, a mystical wedding song. Jesus is identified with the morning star, according to Revelation 22:16, and with the bridegroom of the psalm.

Nicolai published the hymn first in 1599 in his collection Frewdenspiegel deß ewigen Lebens ("Mirror of Joy of the Life Everlasting") in Frankfurt, together with "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme".

This attractive little setting is anonymous, and may prove useful as a service prelude.

The score is attached below, as well the likeness of the original publication dating from 1599.

Tomorrow, another setting of "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" by Johann Ludgwig Krebs.

Finally, on January 6th, Samuel Scheidt's extended variations on "Wie schön leucht' uns der Morgenstern."