Oh, Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly

Above:  A Mosaic at a Former Church, Now a Mosque, Between 1888 and 1910

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-ppmsca-03684

Hymn Source = W. G. Polack, The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal, Second Edition (1942)

Original German Words (1646) by Christian Keimann (1607-1662)

English Translation (1863) by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

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1.  Oh, rejoice, ye Christians, loudly,

For our joy hath now begun;

Wondrous things our God hath done.

Tell abroad His goodness proudly

Who our race hath honored thus

That He deigns to dwell with us.

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

2.  See. my soul, thy Savior chooses

Weakness here and poverty;

In such love He comes to thee

Nor the hardest couch refuses;

All He suffers for thy good,

To redeem thee by His blood.

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

3.  Lord, how shall I thank Thee rightly?

I acknowledge that by Thee

Every blessing flows for me.

Let me not forget it lightly,

But to Thee through all things cleave;

So shall heart and mind receive.

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

4.  Jesus, guard and guide Thy members,

Fill Thy brethren with Thy grace,

Hear their prayers in every place.

Quicken now life’s faintest embers;

Grant all Christians, far and near,

Holy peace, a glad New Year!

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!