Lyrics: Henry van Dyke, 1907.

Music: ODE TO JOY, from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony #9.

Theme: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” I Corinthians :10

Dr. Van Dyke was a professor of English literature at Princeton University, a lecturer at the University of Paris, Minister to the Netherlands and Luxembourg appointed by President Wilson, and a Presbyterian clergyman. He wrote the verses to Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee intentionally to be set to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

Henry van Dyke: “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 over throw the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.”

Brenda: “I had this played at my wedding. It makes me happy as it seems a preview of the Heavenly Host singing.”

Secret Notebooks: “When I was a child in Rhode Island, attending Catholic services with my family every Sunday, we often filed out of our pews to this hymn, following the priest and altar boys in a slow, crowded shuffle to the double doors which had been thrown open to the sun and air. It remains one of my clearest childhood memories, and I can hear the voices of both my mother and my father singing when I recall it.”

Chris: “Beethoven’s 9th owns all other melodies ever composed or ever to be composed.”

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.