I love to hear the song Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode to Joy) this time of year. As we celebrate the season of Advent, it seems to be a fitting song for this week’s focus on joy. The flowery words, paint a beautiful picture of the celebration of mortals at the birth of the Son of love. The phrases that creatively tell of Jesus’ greatness are beautifully descriptive. They include, God of glory, Lord of love, Giver of immortal gladness, Center of unbroken praise, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest, and brotherly love. When this music was written by Ludwig van Beethoven, the beautiful melody was certainly inspired by God. It was then arranged by Edward Hodges in 1824, so it has been around for a while! It is a timeless musical treasure, and when we think of joy during the advent season, it is such an appropriate song to sing and meditate on its words. Here they are:
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode to Joy) by Edward Hodges, Henry Van Dyke, Ludwig van Beethoven
Verse 1
Joyful, joyful we adore Thee
God of glory Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flow’rs 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
Verse 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
Flowery meadow flashing sea
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee
Verse 3
Thou art giving and forgiving
Ever blessing ever blest
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
Verse 4
Mortals join the mighty 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 lifts us sunward
In the triumph song of life
I hope you enjoy the words and experience joy as we adore the newborn King.
Word for the Day: Ps 71:23
Song of the Day: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Ode to Joy) by Edward Hodges, Henry Van Dyke, Ludwig van Beethoven