These two hymns that praise the beauty of Christ and His creation are two different translations of the same anonymous German hymn text. It first appeared in print in a 1662 manuscript from Muenster in Westphalia, and it was then published in 1677 in a Catholic hymnbook called “Muenster Gesangbuch.” It became popular in Germany when it was published by Hoffman von Fallersleben in his “Schlesische Volkslieder” (Silesian Folksongs) in 1842. This was a collection of traditional folk songs from the region of Selesia, which is now part of Poland.
There are various accounts as to the origin of the hymn. It’s often called "The Crusaders’ Hymn" since the legend says that it was sung by the twelfth-century German Crusaders as they made their way into battle in the Holy Land. The most reasonable account is that in the early 1800s, Hoffman von Fallersleben heard it being sung in the area of Silesia by the followers of John Huss, an early leader of the Reformation who became a martyr. Followers of John Huss were called Hussites and had been driven out of Bohemia in 1620 in an anti-Reformation purge and settled in Silesia. They were persecuted for their faith and had to keep their faith secret, but this didn’t prevent them from singing the hymns they loved.
Two different hymns have come from that early manuscript that are still in use. The most common is “Fairest Lord Jesus!” which first appeared as three stanzas anonymously translated with music that was adapted by Richard S. Willis and taken from his “Church Chorals and Choir Studies” published in New York in 1850. “Beautiful Saviour” has four stanzas and was translated by Joseph A. Seiss, a prominent Lutheran minister and prolific author. It was published in Philadelphia in 1873 in “The Sunday School Book for the Use of Evangelical Lutheran Congregations.”
Though the origin of the words and how they were translated into English is a mystery, these are hymns that still greatly encourage the Christian’s worship. They emphasize the beauty and wonder of Christ and speak of His dual nature, that He is both human and divine. Christ is now and forever worthy of our praise. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever (Psalm 45:2).
Fairest Lord Jesus!
Fairest Lord Jesus!
Ruler of all nature!
O thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honour,
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 heav’n can boast.
Beautiful Saviour!
Beautiful Saviour! King of creation!
Son of God, and Son of man!
Truly I'd love thee, truly I'd serve thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, — fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is sweeter,
He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
Bright is the sunshine, — bright is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, —
Brighter than angels in the sky.
Beautiful Saviour! Lord of the nations!
Son of God, and Son of man!
Glory and honour, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be thine!
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