Henry Van Dyke

Philippians 4:4-7

      Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee LBW 551

 1    Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
     Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee, praising thee, their sun above.
      Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away.
      Giver of immortal gladness fill us with the light of day.

2    All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heav’n reflect thy rays,
      stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.
      Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
      chanting bird, and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee.

3    Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
      wellspring of the joy of living, ocean-depth of happy rest!
      Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine;
      teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine!

Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1933

       Henry Van Dyke was a Presbyterian minister, a best-selling author and naval chaplain.  He was serving as a guest preacher at William’s College in Berkshire, Massachusetts. Outside the windows of the chapel he could see the Berkshire Mountains.  That sight moved him to write the words of this hymn.  In 1911, he published it noting that it should be sung by people who were “not afraid that the truth of science might destroy their faith….or that any revolution of earth might overthrow the Kingdom of God.”  He presented it to the president of Williams College as a gift, but said the words had to be sung to Ludwig Beethoven’s 5th symphony, the famous “Ode to Joy”.   And so it has ever since.

 Prayer:  Heavenly God, with joy we sing to you.  Help us to know that there is no enemy on earth, or beneath the earth, who can overcome the Gospel or overthrow the Kingdom.  And in the confidence of that knowledge, make us bold to proclaim Jesus as Christ!  Amen.