This has always been one of my favorite hymns, but right now it's been going through my head a lot. The words are by Henry van Dyke and it is sung to a simplified version of Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
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.
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
The parts that have been coming to mind most are
"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."
and
"Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man."
Hmmm....seems to be a theme here. Something to think about.
What songs are resonating with you just now?
Hi
ReplyDeleteI recognise some of the words to the hymn you are talking about, but the tune doesn't come to me. It may be because I have music on in the background.
In Church today, we had a hymn that even my wife didn't recognise. It goes
Lay Your Hands Gently Upon Us
May Your Touch Render Your Peace
Let them bring your forgiveness and healing
Lay your hands gently lay your hands
You were sent to free the broken hearted
You were sent to give sight to the blind
You desire to heal all our illness
Lay your hands gently lay your hands
Lord we come to you through one another
Lord we come to you in our need
Lord we come to you seeking wholeness
Lay your hands gently lay your hands
My wife and I really love these lyrics.
Have a blessed Sunday
God bless
David
Those are wonderful lyrics. I don't recognize that hymn. I hope I come across it at worship sometime. Blessings!
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