But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY... (Galatians 5:22)
This hymn is generally considered by hymnologists to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language.
Its author, Henry van Dyke, served as a professor of literature at Princeton University and was a prolific writer of devotional material, including hymns. This is the best-known of Van Dyke's hymns. He stated his purpose in writing it as follows: "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 their religion or that any revolution on earth will overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, this is a hymn of trust and hope."
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" portrays a joyful interplay between God's created world and the manifestation of this same creative spirit in the life of a believer. Such interesting similes as "hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee..." illustrate this interesting technique. The second verse reminds us that all of God's creation speaks of His glory, and directs our worship to the Creator Himself. The fourth stanza concludes with an invitation for all of God's children to join the mighty chorus of joy begun at creation's dawn and, in so doing, to find the encouragement needed for any circumstance of life.
The text for this hymn was written while van Dyke was a guest preacher at Williams College in Massachusetts. It is said that one morning van Dyke handed the manuscript to 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 Beethoven's "Hymn of Joy."
The tune, "Hymn of Joy," comes out of the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Although Beethoven never wrote a tune specifically for a hymn text, a number have been adapted from his many famous works. This is the most widely used of these adopted hymn tunes.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee,
Op'ning 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 heav'n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Centre 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.
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.
Mortals, join the happy chorus
Which the morning stars began;
Love divine is reigning o'er us,
Joining all within its span.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us homeward
In the triumph song of life.