Starry Night Wedding Hymn: Counting Stars Together

Can You Count the Stars is a Christian hymn written by German hymn writer Wilhelm Hey in 1837. It was translated by Elmer L. Jorgenson and published in 1921. The lyrics ask a series of rhetorical questions, such as Can you count the stars that brightly / Twinkle in the midnight sky? and Can you count the clouds so lightly / O'er the meadows floating by?. Each stanza ends with the refrain, God, the Lord, doth mark their number, / With His eyes that never slumber; / He hath made them every one, / He hath made them every one. The hymn is often considered a children's song and is especially popular in Lutheran assemblies.

Counting stars and clouds

The Christian hymn "Can You Count the Stars" poses a series of rhetorical questions, inviting reflection on the vastness of God's creation and care. The first verse asks:

> Can you count the stars that brightly

> Twinkle in the midnight sky?

> Can you count the clouds, so lightly

> O'er the meadows floating by?

The imagery here is striking, alluding to the countless stars that adorn the night sky and the fluffy, ephemeral clouds that drift across open fields. The use of "brightly" and "lightly" emphasizes the contrasting yet complementary nature of these celestial and terrestrial phenomena.

The following verses continue this theme, querying whether one can count the flashing wings in the sunshine, the splashing fishes in cool waters, and the joyful voices of children singing. Each stanza presents a different aspect of nature or human life, alluding to their abundance and the divine providence that oversees them.

The hymn's message is twofold. Firstly, it acknowledges the grandeur and complexity of God's creation, which encompasses the infinite stars, the transient clouds, and all life on Earth. Secondly, it assures that God, who "doth not slumber," is intimately aware of and cares for each individual creature, from the birds in the sky to the children singing happily. This theme of divine omniscience and benevolence is a recurring motif in Christian theology, providing comfort and reassurance to believers.

"Can You Count the Stars" serves as a reminder that while we may be overwhelmed by the vastness and intricacies of the world around us, God's watchful eye never slumbers, and His love extends to every creature, great and small. This hymn, often used in weddings, is a testament to the beauty of creation and the enduring love and care of the divine.

God's care for children

The Christian hymn "Can You Count the Stars" beautifully illustrates God's care for children. This traditional hymn, often used in weddings, is a reminder of God's love and watchfulness over all creation, including the little ones.

The hymn begins by asking if we can count the stars that twinkle brightly in the midnight sky and the floating clouds in the meadows. Just as God knows the number of stars and cares for them, He also knows and cares for each child. The imagery of God's eyes that "never slumber" assures us of His constant attention and protection.

In the next verse, the hymn asks if we can count the birds singing in the sunshine and the fishes playing in the sparkling waters. God knows and names each one of these creatures, and He also knows and loves every child. He hears their joyful voices and rejoices in their songs, reminding us that He delights in the happiness of children.

The final verse of the hymn directly addresses God's care for children. It asks if we can count the many children who rise each morning, full of cheerfulness and innocence. The answer assures us that God, dwelling in heaven, has given loving care to each child. He has not forgotten them and hears their happy voices, rejoicing in their songs.

"Can You Count the Stars" is a powerful reminder that God values and cherishes children. It assures us that God is attentive to their voices and songs, and He delights in their joy. This hymn encourages us to trust in God's loving care for the little ones, knowing that He watches over them and has not forgotten them.

Birds and fishes

The Christian hymn "Can You Count the Stars" is a popular choice for weddings. The lyrics, translated from German by E. L. Jorgenson, ask a series of rhetorical questions, inviting reflection on the vastness of God's creation and care. The second verse of the hymn includes the lines:

> "Can you count the birds that warble / In the sunshine all the day? / Can you count the little fishes / That in sparkling waters play?"

These lines draw a comparison between the countless birds singing in the sun and the innumerable little fishes playing in sparkling waters. The imagery evokes a sense of joy and freedom in nature, with the birds singing and the fishes splashing or playing.

The message conveyed is that just as God knows and cares for each bird and fish, He also knows and cares for each person. This idea is reinforced in the following verse, which asks about the many children who rise each morning without sorrow. God, who dwells in heaven, has given loving care to each child and has not forgotten them.

The reference to birds and fishes highlights God's attention to detail and His intimate knowledge of and involvement in the natural world. It also underscores the theme of abundance and diversity in creation, reflecting God's limitless power and love.

In the original German, the hymn is titled "Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen," which translates to "Do you know how many little stars there are?" This title captures the essence of the hymn's message, emphasizing the vastness of God's creation and our inability to fully comprehend or count all that He has made.

God's omnipresence

The Christian wedding hymn "Can You Count the Stars" is a testament to God's omnipresence and care for all creation. The hymn, written by German hymn writer Wilhelm Hey, invites listeners to contemplate the vastness of the universe and God's intimate knowledge and involvement in it.

In the first verse, the hymn asks if one can count the stars that "brightly twinkle in the midnight sky" and the clouds that "lightly" float over the meadows. This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the hymn, reminding us that God, the Lord, "doth mark their number" and "made them every one." This verse alone is a powerful reminder of God's omnipresence, as it acknowledges His sovereignty over the vastness of creation, from the countless stars in the sky to the floating clouds.

The second verse shifts our attention to the birds "that warble in the sunshine all day" and the little fishes "that in sparkling waters play." Again, the hymn emphasizes God's intimate knowledge and care for even the smallest creatures, as it asserts that God "their number knoweth" and "for each one His care He showeth." This verse reinforces the idea of God's omnipresence, reminding us that He is present not only in the vastness of the universe but also in the smallest details of creation.

The third verse focuses on children, asking if we can count their joyful voices as they sing and rise each morning. It highlights God's love and care for them, rejoicing in their happiness and songs. This verse, in particular, showcases God's personal and loving involvement in the lives of His creations, especially the innocent and joyful children.

The hymn, "Can You Count the Stars," serves as a beautiful reminder of God's omnipresence and loving care for all creation. Through its verses, it acknowledges God's sovereignty over the vastness of the universe, His intimate knowledge of all creatures, and His loving involvement in the lives of the innocent. It invites us to reflect on the awe-inspiring reality of a God who is present everywhere and cares for everything He has made, from the stars in the sky to the children singing in the morning light.

Hymn's history

"Can You Count the Stars" is a Christian hymn composed by German hymn writer Johann Wilhelm Hey. The hymn was written for boys and girls, as most of Hey's poems were written for children.

Hey, son of H. A. Hey, pastor at Leina, near Gotha, was born on 26 March 1789 in Gotha, Germany. He studied at the Universities of Jena and Göttingen, became a licentiate in theology in 1811, and, after varied tutorial work, was appointed in 1818 as pastor at Töttelstadt, near Gotha. In 1827, he became court preacher at Gotha, where his preaching attracted large audiences. However, being regarded as a Pietist, he was appointed superintendent of Ichtershausen in 1832. He died at Ichtershausen on 19 May 1854.

The lyrics of the hymn ask a series of rhetorical questions, such as whether one can count the stars in the sky, the clouds floating by, the birds singing, the fish playing in the water, and the children singing and rejoicing. Each stanza ends with the reassuring refrain that God knows and cares for each one of these, and for the listener as well.

The hymn is set to a German melody from around 1550 and has been translated into English by E. L. Jorgenson. It is often considered a children's song, especially in Lutheran assemblies, but its message of God's love and care is universal and uplifting for all Christians.

Frequently asked questions