Stars Of The Morning

*"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days.
Then Michael, one of the chief of the celestial princes, came to help me..."
(Daniel 10:13)

The Fall Of The Rebel Angels
(1660-1665)

Luca Giordano

(1634-1705)

Italian late-Baroque era painter

"Who is like the Lord?" thunders Michael, the chief,

Raphael, "the cure of God" comfortheth grief;

And, as at Nazareth, prophet of peace,

Gabriel, "the light of God" bringeth release.

Then, when the earth was first poised in mid space

Then, when the planets first sped on their race,

Then, when were ended the six days' employ,

Then all the sons of God shouted for joy.

Still let them succor us; still let them fight,

Lord of angelic hosts, battling for right;

Till where their anthems they ceaselessly pour,

We with the angels may bow and adore. 

"Stars Of The Morning"
(9th Century Hymn)
Attributed to
Joseph the Hymnographer
( ?-883)
9th century Sicilian monk
Translated from Greek into English 
by John Mason Neale
(1818-1866)
English hymnographer 
Translator of ancient and medieval hymns

* Michael,  "Mikha'el" in Hebrew, is one of the Archangels mentioned in the Bible. 
Known as the "great captain" and "the leader of the heavenly hosts",  it was
Mikha'el and his warrior angels who vanquished the rebellious Satan
 and his legions and cast them out of heaven.

Mikha'el, whose name in Hebrew means, "Who is like God"
 keeps watch over and is the defender of the children of Israel.