What a wonderful hymn extoling, praising, and recounting the wonders of Jesus. It was written in the 17th century by German Jesuits and published in the Münster Gesangbuch in 1677.
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee 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, fair is the moonlight, and all the twinkling, starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heav’n can boast.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations! Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be thine.
The lyrics borrow a page from Hebrews, where He is described as better than Moses, angels, the law, human high priests, and animal sacrifices. Here Jesus is praised as also being fairer, purer, and brighter than the best things nature has to offer.
A. Knapp for That 