Can You Count the Stars?

A lovely, sweet hymn that seems especially popular in Lutheran assemblies and is often (wrongly) relegated to "children's song" status.

Original lyrics:

Can you count the stars of evening
That are shining in the sky?
Can you count the clouds that daily
Over all the world go by?
God the Lord, who DOTH not slumber,
KEEPETH all the boundless number;
But He CARETH more for THEE,
But He CARETH more for THEE.

Can you count the birds that warble
In the sunshine all the day?
Can you count the little fishes
That in sparkling waters play?
God the Lord their number KNOWETH,
For each one His care He SHOWETH;
Shall He not remember THEE?
Shall He not remember THEE?

Can you count the many children
In their little beds at night,
Who without a thought of sorrow
Rise again at morning light?
God the Lord, who dwells in heaven,
Loving care to each has given;
He has not forgotten THEE,
He has not forgotten THEE.

Lyrics by Johann Hey, trans. Elmer L. Jorgenson

Renewal lyrics:

Can you count the stars of evening
That are shining in the sky?
Can you count the clouds that daily
Over all the world go by?
God the Lord, who DOES not slumber,
COMPREHENDS the boundless number;
But He CARES STILL more for YOU,
But He CARES STILL more for YOU.

Can you count the birds that warble
In the sunshine all the day?
Can you count the little fishes
That in sparkling waters play?
God the Lord, HE COUNTS AND KNOWS THEM,
For each one His care He SHOWS THEM;
Shall He not remember YOU?
Shall He not remember YOU?

Can you count the many children
In their little beds at night,
Who without a thought of sorrow
Rise again at morning light?
God the Lord, who dwells in heaven,
Loving care to each has given;
He has not forgotten YOU,
He has not forgotten YOU.

Renewal lyric changes by RH Reinhard (c) 2014