The Stars: The Work Praises the Lord
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Stars: The Work Praises the Lord
Scripture Reference:
- Psalms 19 (further images / scripture text)
- Revelation 22 (further images / scripture text)
Description: In a city with a river flowing through it, a man and a woman, who holds a lantern, gaze at the star-studded night sky. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708), who had used this image in an earlier work, which may be found in the Digital Image Archive under the call number 1699Weig. The attendant scriptures are Psalm 19:1 and Revelation 22:16.
Motto: Its great harmony, Will never be disturbed.
Poem:
When thou dost behold the Starry realm,
So it represents in thy spirit,
The Lord, who has built that,
And lets his grandeur charm thee.
He who exhibits so many wonders,
In the Forecourt of those born outside heaven,
Has unthinkable higher beauty
Enclosed, inside his Gates.
And thou, who dost gladly view wonders,
Art invited by that great Lord,
To enter his Palace,
As a Partaker of that enjoyment.
One should then not remain here,
But go along the path of his Commandments,
To the Eternal Kingdom of wonders,
Whereto the wonders of the World invite us.
Of which the Lord of heaven said,
Whose promise no one will escape,
That in the Kingdom of glory,
The pious will shine eternally,
Not as a Star, but as the Sun:
To be such a heavenly light,
It would be worthwhile, that every Soul began,
Then its wellbeing would never be fully praised.
O Man! who loves the wondrous beauty,
What is more beautiful than God’s child.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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Rights Status: No Copyright - United States
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