Today is the finale of Sunday Hymnal. Hopefully the traditional hymns I shared brought you some comfort, joy and rekindled some fond memories of church.

The only way to end this series is with one of my favorite hymns – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee.

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,
   Singing bird and flowing fountain
   Call us to rejoice in Thee.
3. 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.
4. Mortals, join the happy 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

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Lyrics courtesy of Timeless Truths

I thought of this song shortly after Rommie moved to heaven and there was a deer in my backyard early one morning. Never would they have entered Rommie’s kingdom when she was here. The closest they came was to stand behind the fence separating them from the courtyard. 

As The Deer

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship thee

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship thee

You’re my friend and you are my brother
Even though you are a king
I love you more than any other
So much more than anything

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship thee

I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joygiver
and the apple of my eye.

You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship you

Read more: The Cadets – As The Deer Lyrics | MetroLyrics