History

I bet you didn’t know the original name of this hymn is “The Hymn of Joy”. If you’re not wholly familiar with that name for this song, as soon as you see the first two words, your mind likely needs no help humming the rest of the familiar tune. The Hymn of Joy—often known as “Ode to Joy” or “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”—is perhaps one of the most familiar and timeless melodies for those in English-speaking parts of the world.

The story of this hymn is well-documented. It was written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke with the intent to sing to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the final movement of the composer’s famous 9th Symphony.

Against the backdrop of mounting tensions in Europe—the early rumblings of The Great War, what would be known as World War I—van Dyke found joy and beauty in the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts. Though there is little about the hymn that is specifically related to the Christmas story, it echoes other Christmas carols in expressing joy and adoration for the God of glory.

Henry van Dyke would later discuss the hymn, remarking that part of his message behind the words is to instill a trust that science can do no harm to religion—the idea that if you observe the majesty of God’s creation, as Romans 1:20 reinforces, you shouldn’t be surprised that there is a Creator. According to van Dyke: “this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.”

Devotion

Take a look around you for a moment. If you’re inside, perhaps find a window. Look at a tree or a cloud or a mountain if you’re blessed to live within view of one. The world is teeming with life and beauty and purpose. There is majesty in the very creation of this universe. Doesn’t that alone make the Creator worthy of adoration?

Isaiah 49:13 reminds us that creation is bursting to exalt the Lord. Everything around us —everything we see and touch and feel and sense is designed to point us back to Him. This is a vibrant world He has created, and it points to a vibrant God who is worthy of all our praise. If the rocks and the trees and the stars cry out to God, to lavish their joy on Him, should we not do the same?

We are the darling of His creation, created in His image to have a relationship with Him. How joyful is that truth?

When you see the beauty of this world, you ought to be reminded of the Creator. When you marvel at a breathtaking moment, direct that praise toward the Lord. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things are created through him and for him.”

All things are created through and for Jesus. This same Jesus humbled Himself so much to step down into His creation as a helpless babe. He was mocked, ridiculed, slandered, disrespected, beaten, and finally murdered by those He created. Through His defeat of death, He adopted His rebellious children as co-heirs of the grace purchased by His blood.

This is the Jesus we celebrate when we look at the beauty of the world. This is the King we sing praise to this holiday season. In the face of such overwhelming grace and provision, how could we do anything else?

Related Scripture

Psalm 19, Isaiah 55:10-13, Colossians 1:15-23

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee lyrics

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

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

Thou art giving and forgiving

ever blessing, ever blest

well-spring of the joy of living

ocean-depth of happy rest

Thou the Father, Christ our Brother—

all who live in love are Thine

Teach us how to love each other

lift us to the Joy Divine

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 lifts us sunward

in the triumph song of life

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee Lyric Video

What to know about Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee:

• Who wrote “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee”?

  • “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee” was written as “The Hymn of Joy” by Henry van Dyke in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts.

• When was “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee” written?

  • The Hymn of Joy“, better known as “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee” was written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke to the tune of “Ode to Joy”, from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

• What is “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee” about?

  • According to Henry van Dyke, Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee is about the majesty of God’s creation. It is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.