Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern ("How lovely shines the morning star") is a chorale of Philipp Nicolai written in 1597 and first published in 1599.
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The words in seven verses[1] are based on Psalm 45 (KJV), a mystical wedding song. Jesus is identified with the morning star, according to Revelation 22:16 (KJV), and with the bridegroom of the psalm. Nicolai wrote the words in response to a Pestilence in 1597.[2] He published the chorale first in 1599 in his book FrewdenSpiegel deß ewigen Lebens (The Joyous Mirror of Eternal Life) in Frankfurt, together with Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme.[3] He introduced it: "Ein Geistlich Brautlied der Gläubigen Seelen / von Jesu Christo irem himlischen Bräutgam: Gestellt ober den 45. Psalm deß Propheten Dauids", translated: "A spiritual bridal song of the believing soul / concerning Jesus Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom, founded on the 45th Psalm of the prophet David".[2]
The chorale theme Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern was codified then, but research by C. S. Terry has shown the tune to predate Nicolai's publication by at least 61 years.[4]
The chorale appeared as a hymn in German hymnals and in several translations in English hymnals, starting with How bright appears the Morning Star! by J. C. Jacobi, in his Psalter Germanica, 1722, p. 90.[2] Additional hymns were written on the same tune such as O heilger Geist, kehr bei uns ein of Michael Schirmer (1640).[3]
The words, speaking of "süße musica" (sweet music") in verse 6, and the melody have inspired composers to vocal and instrumental settings.
Bach based his chorale cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1 on it and used single verses for other cantatas, verse 4 to close Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172, verse 5 in Wer da gläubet und getauft wird, BWV 37, verse 6 in Schwingt freudig euch empor, BWV 36, verse 7 to close Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen, BWV 49. The final lines of verse 7 form the closing chorale of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach wrote a cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (F 82). Christian Geist set the words for soprano, two violins, viola da gamba and basso continuo.[3]
Bach wrote several organ preludes on the chorale. So did Pachelbel in his Erster Theil etlicher Choräle. Dieterich Buxtehude wrote a chorale fantasia Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern. In 1899 Reger composed an organ fantasy on Wie schön leucht’t uns der Morgenstern, Op. 40, 1. Ernst Pepping wrote in 1933 a partita, Partita über den Choral "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern".[5] Rolf Schweitzer wrote in 1983 a meditative work for organ, Orgelmeditation "Morgenstern".[3] Naji Hakim composed in 2008 Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, variations for oboe (flute, violin) and organ.[6]