HYMN STORIES: The Songs We Sing
“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
This week we will open our worship service with one of the best-known hymns in the English language Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. It was written in 1907 by American author and clergyman Henry van Dyke (1852-1933). He was invited to preach at Williams College in Massachusetts. At breakfast one morning, he handed the college president a piece of paper, saying, “Here is a hymn for you. Your mountains (the Berkshires) were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethoven’s Hymn of Joy.”
When he was later asked about his hymn, van Dyke replied: “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.”
The lyrics are full of romantic expressionism. The metaphor of light, the antithesis of darkness—a common theme in Romantic poetry—provides the overarching vehicle for expressing joy in stanza one. “Flowers . . . open to the sun above.” “Clouds of sin and sadness” disperse. “Dark and doubt” are driven away. The final line of stanza one petitions the “Giver of immortal gladness” to “fill us with the light of day.”
The second stanza paints a vivid picture of God manifest in the beauty of nature, also a common theme of the Romantic era. The third stanza extends to the human creation and the brotherhood of humanity. Since God is the Father of humanity, Christ is our brother. The belief that ultimately humanity is progressing culminates in the final stanza, “Ever singing, march we onward,/ Victors in the midst of strife.”
It was first published in 1911 in van Dyke’s Book of Poems and was later adopted into official hymnals The lyrics celebrate the intersection of God’s majesty in nature and the believer’s response of love and charity. When sung with Beethoven’s melody from the 9th symphony one cannot help but sing out with joy!
Shared by Lindrew Johnson, Director of Worship
