Jesus Christ, thou Leading Star

Representative Text

1 Jesus Christ, Thou Guiding-Star,
Thy great Name we praise and hallow;
From believers be it far
Any other Guide to follow;
Thou, Lord, if we walk in light,
Wilt direct our steps aright.

2 Christians are not here below
To enjoy earth’s fleeting treasure.
After Christ they’re called to go,
His reproach they count a pleasure;
Under manifold distress,
Through the narrow gate they press.

3 Savior, now for strength we plead,
In Thy love together banded,
To advance where Thou dost lead
Doing what Thou hast commanded.
Heart and hand we pledge Thee here;
Give us grace to persevere.

Source: Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church #417

Author: Nicolaus Ludwig, Graf von Zinzendorf

Zinzendorf, Count Nicolaus Ludwig, the founder of the religious community of Herrnhut and the apostle of the United Brethren, was born at Dresden May 26, 1700. It is not often that noble blood and worldly wealth are allied with true piety and missionary zeal. Such, however, was the case with Count Zinzendorf. In 1731 Zinzendorf resigned all public duties and devoted himself to missionary work. He traveled extensively on the Continent, in Great Britain, and in America, preaching "Christ, and him crucified," and organizing societies of Moravian brethren. John Wesley is said to have been under obligation to Zinzendorf for some ideas on singing, organization of classes, and Church government. Zinzendorf was the author of some two thousand hymn… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Jesus Christ, thou Leading Star
Author: Nicolaus Ludwig, Graf von Zinzendorf
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT (Crüger)

First published in Johann Crüger's Praxis Pietatis Melica (1653) without attribution, JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT was credited to Crüger (PHH 42) in the 1668 edition of that hymnal. (The later isorhythmic RATISBON is related to this tune; see 34.) JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT is named for its association w…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 8 of 8)

A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the Protestant Church of the United Brethren. Rev. ed. #d317

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Offices of Worship and Hymns #580

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The Liturgy and Hymns of the American Province of the Unitas Fratrum #538

Tune InfoTextPage Scan

Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church #417

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Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church #576

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