Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee

12 Hymn to Joy. 8. 7. 8. 7. D.

1 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!

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,
   Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
   Chanting bird and flowing fountain
   Call us to rejoice in Thee!

3 Always 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.

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 leads us sunward
   In the triumph song of life.
                         Henry van Dyke
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition