Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Fairest Lord Jesus

Münster Gesangbuch; trans. Joseph A. Seiss

The beautiful hymn 'Fairest Lord Jesus' has roots in both German folk tradition and 19th-century American scholarship. The original German text, 'Schönster Herr Jesu', first appeared in the Münster Gesangbuch in 1677 as a popular folk hymn. In 1873, Joseph A. Seiss (1825–1904), a prominent American Lutheran minister and author known for his powerful preaching in Philadelphia, translated and versified the hymn into English. The hymn celebrates the majesty of Christ, declaring Him to be fairer than the meadows, the woodlands, and all the stars of heaven, directing our gaze to the beauty of the Savior.

Source: Classic public-domain hymn

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Theee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
All the Way My Savior Leads MeBe Still, My SoulBlest Be the Tie That BindsCome, Thou Fount of Every BlessingCount Your BlessingsFor the Beauty of the Earth