Fairest Lord Jesus
A meditation on the surpassing beauty of Christ above all creation.
Download PDFA meditation on the surpassing beauty of Christ above all creation. Written by Anonymous (German, 17th century) (1677), set to the tune "Crusader's Hymn / St. Elizabeth" by Silesian folk melody.
Suggested pairing scripture
Song of Solomon 5:16
"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."
Read Song of Solomon 5:16 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "Fairest Lord Jesus." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.
Read in contextWhen to sing this
Sing at outdoor services, harvest festivals, and gatherings that lift up the Creator's handiwork.
Lyrics
Stanza 1
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, O Thou of God and man the Son, Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
Stanza 2
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.
Stanza 3
Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, And all the twinkling, starry host; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Stanza 4
Beautiful Saviour! Lord of all the nations! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be Thine.
History & Background
First published in the German Münster Gesangbuch (1677). The familiar Silesian folk tune was collected in 1842 by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben. Popularly — but inaccurately — linked to medieval Crusaders, hence the alternate tune name 'Crusader's Hymn.' The English translation appeared in Richard Storrs Willis's Church Chorals (1850).
Scripture Behind the Hymn
Song of Solomon 5:16
"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."Read in context
Psalm 45:2
"Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Crusaders really sing Fairest Lord Jesus?
No — the connection is a 19th-century legend. The text first appeared in a 1677 German hymnal, and the tune is a Silesian folk melody collected in 1842.
Related Hymns
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Related Reading
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Fairest Lord Jesus
Anonymous (German, 17th century) • 1677
Joy to the World
Isaac Watts • 1719
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Where to go next
Enjoyed "Fairest Lord Jesus"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.
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