"But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice...let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee" (Psa. 5:11)

INTRO.: One song that encourages us to be joyful in the Lord is "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (#27 in "Hymns for Worship Revised"). The text was written by Henry VanDyke (1852-1933). A Presbyterian minister who also served as a professor of English literature at Princeton University in New Jersey, he penned these words in 1908 while a guest spaker at Williams College in Williamstown, MA, among the Berkshire hills. His aim, which may have been the result of a suggestion, was to produce suitable words for the tune (Ode to Joy) from the final movement of the Ninth Symphony (Choral) composed in 1824 by Ludwig van Beethovan (1770-1827). This had already been arranged as a hymn tune in 1864 by an English musician who served at Trinity Church in New York City, NY, Edward Hodges (1796-1867).

However, it lacked an adequate text. One morning at the breakfast table, VanDyke handed the manuscript to Mr. Garfield, the college president, saying, "Here is a hymn for you. Your mountains [the Berkshires] were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethovan's 'Hymn to Joy.'" It was first published in 1911 in VanDyke's "Book of Poems," third edition. Afterwards, VanDyke also served for three years as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg. During World War I, he served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. Then following his retirement in 1923, he spent his remaining years in Princeton.

This hymn portrays the interplay between God's created world and our joy.

I. In stanza 1, the God who is manifest outwardly in creation is also the Lord who must be manifest inwardly in human life

A. As flowers open to the sun above, so our hearts should turn toward the God of heaven and be filled with joy: Isa. 49:13

B. As the sun melts the gloomy fog, so we can ask God to drive the dark of doubt in our lives away: Mal. 4:2

C. And as the sun is the bringer of light for life, so God is the Giver of immortal gladness who can fill us with the light of day: Jas. 1:17

II. In stanza 2, we are reminded that God's phyical creation speaks of His glory and so directs our worship to the Creator Himself

A. Indeed, all of God's works point us to praise joyfully Him who made them: Psa. 145:10-12

B. Even the very stars of the heavens declare His glory and show His handiwork: Psa. 19.1-4

C. And all the fields, forest, vales, mountains, meadows, seas, birds, and fountains remind us that the earth is the Lord's and call us to rejoice in Him: Psa. 24.1-2

III. In stanza 3, emphasis is now placed on the spiritual blessings that this same creative God provides for the inner needs of man

A. The God who is giving is also forgiving so that we might have the joy of living and happy rest: Psa. 103.8-14

B. Because He is our Father, He sent Christ to partake of flesh and blood as our brother and through death bring salvation: Heb. 2:14-18

C. Our prayer should be that this same love which God has shown to us, with its accompanying joy, may be ours too: Gal. 5:21-22

IV. In stanza 4, the ultimate effect of our relationship with God is victory over the ills of life and eternal triumph as we march onward to be with God

A. God's children are invited to join the mighty chorus of joy which began at creation's dawn: Job 38.4-7

B. To do this, we must acknowlege the reign of God in love over our lives which in turn binds us to one another as fellow citizens of His kingdom: Lk. 17:20-21

C. And as we sing together and march according to His directions, we can be victors in the midst of strife: Rom. 8:37-39, 1 Cor. 15:54-57, 1 Jn. 5:4

CONCL.: VanDyke was a prolific writer, but he is best remembered for this one majiestic hymn of joyful praise. The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of genuine joy in the life of each Christian. And with trust and hope in God we can certainly find many good aspects of life which should bring us joy. But we need to remember that every good gift comes from God. Therefore, may we ever express our praise to Him as we sing, "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."