09/05/2026
Hymn 376 Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee
This hymn is based on the great choral finale, the “Ode to Joy,” of Beethoven’s ninth symphony. It was popular in 19th-century America to adapt hymn tunes from classical music; Edward Hodges adapted the Beethoven chorale for Trinity Church, Wall St, in 1846. The hymn text reflects Schiller’s original paean to joy, but in explicitly theistic terms; like the original, these words are also universal in scope and full of hope and joy. Henry van D**e, the text’s author, was a minister, diplomat, poet, and professor; his poem was a gift to the president of Williams College, H. A. Garfield, in 1907.
--Donna Wessel Walker
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee, praising thee, their 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 heaven reflect thy rays.
Stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, blooming meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee!
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.
Henry Van D**e (1852-1933); public domain
Hymn 376 - Joyful, joyful, we adore thee - Hymn to Joy - St. Stephe...
