When Morning Gilds the Skies

When you awoke this morning, what were your first thoughts? Mine were the sound of this beautiful old hymn which has been in my spirit for a few days. When Morning Gilds the Skies is based on this scripture:

This hymn first appeared in a German hymnbook and was entitled “Beim frühen Morgenlicht”, which means “in the early morning light”. About 100 years later, it was translated into English by Edward Caswall, a Roman Catholic priest, who delighted in translating ancient hymns from Latin to English. During this translation, he even added some of his own. The original English translation included 28 verses but only a few are listed here.

History of Hymn

The tune called, “Lauded Domini” (Praises of the Lord) was composed for this text in 1868 by Joseph Barnby. https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/238

When morning gilds the skies, My heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer, To Jesus I repair; May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day When from the heart we say: May Jesus Christ be praised! The pow’rs of darkness fear When this sweet chant they hear: May Jesus Christ be praised!

In heav’n’s eternal bliss The loveliest strain is this, May Jesus Christ be praised! Let earth, and sea, and sky From depth to height reply, May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, My song of love divine: May Jesus Christ be praised! Sing this eternal song Through all the ages long: May Jesus Christ be praised!

I read the definition of the word “gild”, and it means to cover with gold; to try to improve on something that is already perfect. Dictionary Definition

Also to add unnecessary ornamentation to something beautiful in its own right.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gild

This is the perfect definition for the early morning sunlight as well as the outrageously beautiful sunsets provided by our Lord. There is simply nothing else to do - May Jesus Christ be praised!

Please take 2 minutes to simply rest, close your eyes, and listen to this rendition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT7Kh88CrL4

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel