As Newborn Stars Were Stirred to Song

I heard this hymn for the first time tonight as I stood beside my best friend just before his baptism. It's the most beautiful hymn I've heard in a long while. Enjoy. :)


As Newborn Stars Were Stirred to Song
written by: John Karl Hirten

As newborn stars were stirred to song
when all things came to be,
as Miriam and Moses sang
when Israel was set free,
so music bursts unbidden forth
when God-filled hearts rejoice,
to waken awe and gratitude
and give mute faith a voice.

In psalms that raise the singer's sense
to universal truths,
in prophet's dark-toned oracle
or hymn of three brave youths:
the song of faith and praise endured
through those God called to be
a chosen people bearing light for
all the world to see.

When God's redeeming Word took flesh
to make salvation sure,
unheeding hearts attuned to strife
refused love's overture.
Yet to the end the song went on:
a supper's parting hymn,
a psalm intoned on dying lips
when sun and hope grew dim.

But silence won no vict'ry there;
a rest was all it scored
before glad alleluias rose
to greet the risen Lord.
The church still keeps that song alive,
for death has lost its sting,
and with the gift of life renewed
the heart will ever sing.