Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 836)
1 Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav’n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird, and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.
3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring 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!
Text: Henry van Dyke; Music: Ludwig van Beethoven; Public Domain
Devotion
Prior to the Pandemic, our family would attend the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. On January 31st we heard Beethoven’s 9th. It was thrilling and emotional, especially when it came to the final movement, the “Ode to Joy.” Singing the words from our hymnal as the Sunday sending hymn in worship lifts our hearts so joyously. The music melts the clouds of sin and sadness. The words ask God to fill us with the light of day, lift us to the joy divine, and see all as our brothers and sisters. We sense the awe of God’s mighty works and the love of creation which gives praise to the creator. Recently we have learned Beethoven’s body was filled with heavy metals as he suffered from various illnesses. And yet we hear his music, not as hopeless but hopeful, lifting up the heavy-hearted and the suffering to the joy divine.
Prayer
Loving Father, you care for this world and for each and every one of us. We give you thanks for music that lifts us up, for words that inspire and encourage, and for all those who give us the gift of music. Lift us up today and help us all to live out your love as we are inspired by this hymn. In Jesus name. Amen.