Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee

A Classic Hymn


Somewhere in time – this week and in 1907. This week I woke up one morning with the Hymn, Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee going through my head. It caused me to really think of Joy. At this time of year, we are celebrating, but are we joyful? I looked up the definition of Joy in Webster’s Dictionary. It says, “a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.”

Now consider this verse in James.
James 1:2-3 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

So here is the question, how do we feel joy when we face trials of many kinds? I think the answer is not to look for joy in the people and things around us, but joy comes from God. Consider the last half of the definition of joy, “emotion evoked…by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” If our hope is in Jesus and our prospect is a home in heaven, then we have more than enough reasons to be joyful. I think joy is a choice that we have to make every day and it must be important because it is listed as one of the fruits of the spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Joy is tied to a complete trust in God, knowing that He is always working for our good and always there to see us through. Our joy is in Him.

This is what Henry J van Dyke said regarding Joyful, Joyful we adore thee:

These vers­es are sim­ple ex­press­ions of com­mon Christ­ian feel­ings and de­sires in this pre­sent time—hymns of to­day that may be sung to­ge­ther by peo­ple who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of sci­ence will de­stroy re­li­gion, or any re­vo­lu­tion on earth over­throw the king­dom of hea­ven. There­fore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.

Enough said. I have included the lyrics to Joyful, Joyful and the video performance. I think you will enjoy this updated version of this classic hymn.

Henry J van Dyke – regarding Joyful, Joyful we adore the

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.