My favorite hymn is “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” by Henry Van Dyke. The lyrics hit me today like a dodge ball to the chest when you least expect it. I heard the lyrics today with the ears of a 38-year-old father of four nursing a running injury while taking care of two family members on crutches and scrambling for his next freelance project. When I fell in love with the song, I was an idealistic teenager with more dreams than zits (and I had acute acne). I liked the song then because it reflected how I felt about life – joyful. I like the song now because it calls me to lift my chin and open my eyes wide to what God is really all about.
Henry Van Dyke also wrote one of my favorite short stories, The Story of the Other Wise Man which follows Artaban through his near misses with the Christ.
If you, like me, are feeling the weight of your days and not the supporting arms of love of our Father, read the lyrics anew. Or better yet, listen to Michael W. Smith’s version from My Utmost for His Highest – The Covenant or the Lauryn Hill version from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
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.
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