Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

As I have started to study piano more, I have found myself all the more appreciative of good orchestral piano arrangements. Lori Line's The Heritage Collection contains some of the most inspiring arrangements of the classic hymns (and a sad but beautiful love song, too - The River is Wide).

It is an extremely rare day where piano music is inspiring enough to bring tears of joy to my eyes, but Lori Line's rendition of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee does it almost every time. It helps that it is my absolute favorite hymn.

So, here's in celebration of a God who wakes us every morning with even more reasons for joy than the day before, namely that we have had the opportunity to simply witness one more day of His immortal gladness! - Sarah Angell

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening 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 heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
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.

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