Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

In 1911, the world was on the brink of war. In America, the Civil War was still too near of a memory and, in Europe, the great powers were flexing their muscles and testing their limits. The Franco-Prussian War still echoed over the continent as countries jockeyed for allies and built war machines for an imminent conflict.

In this tense climate, a 55 year old pastor sat on a Berkshire mountainside in Massachusetts. The weight of war was on his mind as he began to write a poem of the joy and glory of God. His inspiration was the beauty of the mountains, the music of his favorite composer (Beethoven) and Psalms 71.

Psalms 71:23

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed.”

Beethoven didn’t write hymns but Van Dyke thought that his 9th symphony had all the makings of a great one. Although others had tried to write lyrics for it, Van Dyke began to piece together the ideas of joy and gladness. His lyrics painted a picture of the Light of God as erasing the darkness of the worldly powers. In the end, his final work was a masterpiece of poetry.

He gave his poem to the president of Williams College, where he was lecturing, with these instructions: “Here is a hymn for you. Your mountains were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethoven’s ‘Hymn to Joy.’”

The lyrics were first published in 1911 under the title “Ode To Joy.” Since it’s introduction, many have considered it to be the greatest expression of joy ever written.

Van Dyke would go on to greatness. He was a friend of Helen Keller, he officiated Mark Twain’s funeral and he even served as an ambassador during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency. But, his most lasting effort is his hymn about Light defeating darkness called, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.”

https://youtu.be/2yZVweZ2Cvg?si=9SLzVoqseMbi7YSv

JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee,

Op'ning 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!

2 All Your works with joy surround You,

Earth and heav'n reflect Your rays,

Stars and angels sing around You,

Center of unbroken praise;

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

Praising You eternally!

3 Always giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest,

Well-spring of the joy of living,

Ocean-depth of happy rest!

Loving Father, Christ our Brother,

Let Your light upon us shine;

Teach us how to love each other,

Lift us to the joy divine.

4 Mortals, join the mighty chorus,

Which the morning stars began;

God's own love is reigning o’er us,

Joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing, march we onward,

Victors in the midst of strife;

Joyful music leads us sunward

In the triumph song of life.