Singing through the Hymnal: week 36

Verse: Psalm 126:2

Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee 

 

    A lot of children are familiar with this tune, so this might be a great week to try learning all three stanzas of the hymn! I have linked to a sing along in Royal Albert Hall in London for you to listen to. I have been to one of these sing-a-longs, and they are incredible! There are so many to choose from. This week would be a wonderful opportunity to listen to several different recordings or watch several different videos of choirs from around the world singing praise to our great God!

   There are so many hymns of praise, so over the next few weeks, I will be including an extra hymn to listen to or learn if you like. This week's is To God be the Glory. 



                                                                  Fun Facts

Text: Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

• Graduated from Princeton Seminary and became a pastor. 
• A well-known writer and poet. He wrote, "The Other Wise Man," in 1896. 
• Henry wrote this hymn while visiting Williams college in 1907 - the mountains there were his inspiration. It was published in 1911.
• It was written to be sung with this hymn tune. 

 Henry instructed the hymn to be sung "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 the earth will overthrow the Kingdom of Heaven."

Tune: ODE TO JOY Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)

• One of the best known and well-loved melodies in classical music
• It appears in Beethoven's 9th symphony. 
• Beethoven composed and conducted this symphony after being completely deaf.
• This tune was played at Tiananmen Square and at the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• What a wonderful privilege to sing such a wonderful text with such a powerful melody!

A picture from Neander Valley

Remember to order you copy of the hymnal we are singing through if you still need a hymnal!

    Things to think about ...

• Define "joyful" for your children and ask them what makes them joyful
• This hymn points to the wonder of nature which causes joy, but more importantly, points to the One in Whom true joy is found - in the love of God through forgiveness.
• The third line of the melody sounds almost like a giggle. It is almost impossible to sing without smiling!