ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.

285

10s 4 l

Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright,
Filled with celestial resplendence and light,
These that, where night never followeth day,
Raise the “Thrice holy, Lord!” ever and aye!
2. These are Thy ministers, these dost Thou own,
Lord God of Sabaoth, nearest Thy throne.
These are Thy messengers; these dost Thou send,
Help of the helpless ones, man to defend.
3. When by Thy word earth was first poised in space,
When the far planets first sped on their race,
When was completed the six days’ employ,
Then “all the sons of God shouted for joy.”
4. Still let them succor us; still let them fight,
Lord of angelic hosts, battling for right,
Till, where their anthems they ceaselessly pour,
We with the angels may bow and adore.

Joseph of the Studium, c. 850; J. M. Neale, tr., 1862, a.

286

L. M.

Lord God, we all to Thee give praise,
Thank-offerings meet to Thee we raise,
That Thou didst angel hosts create
Around Thy glorious throne to wait.
2. They glow with light and heavenly grace
And constantly behold Thy face;
Obedience to Thy voice they yield
And are with godly wisdom filled.
3. They never rest nor sleep as we;
Their whole delight is but to be
Forever near Thee, gracious Lord,
Thy little flock to watch and guard.
4. The foul old Dragon and dread Foe
With envy, hate, and wrath doth glow;
It always is his aim and pride
Thy Christian people to divide.
5. As he has blighted earth of old,
He keeps e’en now his deathly hold,
Chafes madly to annihilate
All virtue, honor, Church, and State.
6. Therefore no halt or rest he knows;
A roaring lion round he goes,
Or lies in wait with baneful snare
To drive the Christians to despair.
7. But watchful is the angel band
That follows Christ on every hand
And guards Thy holy Christendom
From harm that might from Satan come.
8. From Daniel’s case this may be seen
When he sat in the lions’ den,
And likewise angels rescued Lot
That the ungodly harmed him not.
9. When the three Hebrews were at last
Into the fiery furnace cast,
No power had fiercest flames to harm
Against the rescuing angel’s arm.
10. And thus our God, still at this day,
From harm and many an evil way
Keeps near us His dear angel guard,
Placed over us as watch and ward.
11. For this, now and eternally,
Our praise shall rise, O God, to Thee,
Whom all the angel hosts adore
With joy now and forevermore.
12. We also pray Thee to defend
By them unto the latter end
Thy fold, that little flock, O Lord,
That holds in honor Thy blest Word.

From the Latin of Philip Melanchthon. Paul Eber, 1566.

287

8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7

Jesus, Brightness of the Father,
Life and Strength of all who live!
In the presence of the angels
Glory in Thy name we give:
And Thy wondrous praise rehearse,
Singing in harmonious verse.
2. Blessed Lord, by their protection
Shelter us from harm this day;
Keep us pure in flesh and spirit;
Save us from the Foe, we pray:
And vouchsafe us by Thy grace
In Thy paradise a place.
3. Glory to th’ almighty Father,
Sing we with the heavenly host;
Glory to the great Redeemer,
Glory to the Holy Ghost;
Three in One, and One in Three,
Throughout all eternity!

Rhabanus Maurus, † 856; E. Caswall, tr., 1848, a.