Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

ODE TO JOY8.7.8.7.8.7.8.7

Words: Henry Jackson van DykeMusic: ODE TO JOY, Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Hodges, 1824

Key
Stanzas

Practice player: melody only, played by your browser. The intro is the closing line of the tune, as many churches play it. Melody from the Open Hymnal Project (public domain).

Words

1

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!

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

Scripture

The Bible passages this hymn draws on, in the King James Version.

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

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