Milton wrote this hymn text in 1623 when he was fifteen years old. It wasn’t published until 1645 in book of poems called Poems, Both English and Latin. And the text wasn’t used in churches until the mid-1800’s when it was adapted for a Congregationalist hymnal. The poem is a paraphrase of Psalm 136. You can read a full history of Milton’s poem and the various changes and edits that have been made to make it more singable or more understandable to a modern audience.

Let us with a gladsome mind Praise the Lord for He is kind;
For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us sound His Name abroad, For of gods He is the God;
For His mercies aye endure, Every faithful, ever sure.

He with all-commanding might Filled the new-made world with light;
For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure.

He the golden-tressed sun Caused all day his course to run;
For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure.

All things living He doth feed, His full hand supplies our need;
For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us, then, with gladsome mind, Praise the Lord for He is kind;
For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure.

So, my Sunday encouragement to you comes from and oft-remembered admonition that Elizabeth Elliot often quoted and from something I wrote about a week ago. I was talking to myself, but perhaps someone else needs to hear these words, too.

Do the next thing. Do the thing that you can do, that you know to be right and good in this moment, today. And if you fail, get up tomorrow and try again. Forgive yourself, accept the grace and forgiveness of God, and do the next thing, with joy. For His mercy is forever and always, and He will strengthen you, step by step, day by day, to build a life of goodness and praise —with a gladsome mind.