Some historians believe the song may date back to the 12th Century when it was sung by the German crusaders as they made their long, dangerous and wearisome journey to the Holy Land. For this reason, it is referred to as the Crusader’s Hymn.
Another source claims that this was one of the hymns used by the followers of John Hus. These were Moravian believers who were driven out of Bohemia in the bloody anti-Reformation purge of 1620. They settled in Silesia, now a part of Poland.
The hymn first appeared in 1677 in a Jesuit hymnbook The text of the hymn was also found in a manuscript dating back to 1662. The origin of the words remains a mystery.
Who translated into English? A mystery. The first three stanzas are the work of an anonymous translator.
Whatever the actual origin of the hymn, Christians for centuries have been blessed with this worshipful and joyful text, which focuses our view on the fair Son of God who reveals to us the glory of the Father.
Whoever wrote the words to this hymn was close to nature and
adored God’s creation but recognized that even fairer than the creation is the
Creator.
Richard Storrs Willis, composer of this hymn, was born in 1819 in Boston and was the son of a deacon. After attending Boston Latin School and Yale University, he moved to Germany to study music. There he became friends with Felix Mendelssohn. Returning home, Willis became the music critic for the New York Tribune and a noted music publisher. He’s best remembered for two beautiful melodies often heard in churches around the world—the tune for the Christmas carol “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” and the melody for the great German Catholic hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus.”
Biblehub.com, Barnes' Notes on the Bible: To honor is to esteem, reverence, praise, and do homage too. We honor one when we ascribe to him in our hearts, and words, and actions the praise and obedience which are due to him. We honor God when we obey Him and worship Him aright. We honor the Son when we esteem Him to be as He is; when we have right views and feelings toward Him. As He is declared to be God, as He here says He has power and authority equal with God, so we honor Him when we regard Him as such.
Studylight.org, Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible: That all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. No stronger statement of the deity of Christ appears in Scripture. How is God honored? By the soul’s purest adoration and worship. That is the way Christ should be honored. These words are equivalent to Jesus’ saying, "I am God and am entitled to all the honor belonging to the Father?"
Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: The idea is, that there had been times in his life when, even in darkness and sorrow, he could sing; when he could find things for which to praise God; when he could find something that would cheer him; when he could take some bright views of God adapted to calm down his feelings, and to give peace to his soul. He recalls those times and scenes to his remembrance, with a desire to have those cheerful impressions renewed; and he asks himself what it was which then comforted and sustained him. He endeavors to bring those things back again, for if he found comfort then, he thinks that he might find comfort from the same considerations now.
Biblestudytools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: A psalm of David concerning the constitution of the world . . . it treats of the creation of all things, of the heavens and the earth, and of all creatures in them; and of the providence of God in taking care of them. Christ is the divine Person addressed and described throughout the whole.
Biblehub.com, Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Lift up your eyes on high . . . From the earth, and the inhabitants of it, even those of the greatest power and influence in it, to the heavens above, those that are visible to the eye: and behold who hath created these things; that are seen in the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars; consider the Creator of them, what a glorious Being He must be; what power He must be possessed of; what dazzling light He must dwell in; what glory and majesty He must be clothed with.
Studylight.org, Clarkes Commentary: There is one glory of the sun — As if He had said: This may be illustrated by the present appearance of the celestial bodies which belong to our system. The sun has a greater degree of splendor than the moon; the moon than the planets; and the planets than the stars. And even in the fixed stars, one has a greater degree of splendor than another, which may proceed either from their different magnitudes, or from the comparative proximity of some of them to our earth.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Those Gentiles who are now in Christ Jesus are no longer far off. They are made near to the things of God, and the blood of Christ accomplishes this, by His sacrificial death . . . This coming near happens only by the blood of Christ. Gentiles who are not in Christ Jesus are just as far off as they ever were. This reconciliation only happens in Jesus.
Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: Before we were born again into the family of God, we were without Christ, without a heavenly citizenship, without a covenant relationship, without God's promises, without access to the throne of grace, and without hope in the world . . . But NOW through the blood of Christ, all restrictions in approaching our Creator have been lifted and all barriers to our Father have been removed . . . Let us live our lives as unto to the Lord, for He alone is worthy of our praise and thanks.
Bibliaplus.org: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him - There is a sense in which He is “nigh” to all, for He is everywhere present; but there is a special sense in which He seems to be near to us; in which He manifests Himself to us; in which He gives us evidence of His presence. It is in prayer, in praise, in His ordinances - in His gracious interpositions on our behalf - in the peace and joy which we have in communion with Him.
This hymn has stood the test of time for over three hundred years and will continue to be used. The tune enchants the heart, and the text transcends time. What could be more beautiful than meadows in springtime, sun beams, or twinkling stars? Jesus, our “Ruler of all nature.” He “shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast”!
