CW 827 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing
Next to Martin Luther, the author of this hymn – Paul Gerhardt – is perhaps the best known and loved of all Lutheran hymnwriters. He has authored approximately 125 hymns, about 20 of which are in the blue hymnal (Christian Worship 2021).
Gerhardt originally wrote 18 stanzas to this hymn. His thought was not to sing them all at once, but to spread them throughout the worship service. Two previous Lutheran hymnals trimmed that number down to only 6 stanzas. Our current hymnal combines those six stanzas into three and pairs it with a newer melody which you may not yet be familiar with.
The hymn is in the “Trust” section of the hymnal which will come to you as no surprise once you read its verses. Joyfully trust in our gracious God is the theme of this hymn.
Verse 1: Rejoice, my heart, be glad and sing, a cheerful trust maintain; for God, the source of ev’rything, your treasure shall remain. Why spend the day in blank despair, in restless thought the night? On your Creator cast your care; he makes your burdens light.
What a perfect verse for the wandering Israelites! This coming Sunday’s First Reading is taken from Exodus 16 where the Israelites are facing some uncertain times while traveling in the wilderness. Their trust in God and in Moses and Aaron wavered so much that they thought they were better off being enslaved!
Be honest with yourself. Your trust in God has wavered at times too. But God always comes through, doesn’t he? Just as he rained down manna and quail for the Israelites, he rains down countless blessing on you too. So, cheerfully trust God. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Trusting in God lightens your load.
Verse 2: Did not his love and truth and pow’r guard ev’ry childhood day? And did he not in threat’ning hour turn dreaded ills away? He always will with patience chide, his rod falls gently down; and all your sins he casts aside in ocean depths to drown.
When Gerhardt was very young, his father died. When he was 30 he was affected by the Thirty Years’ War during which the Swedish army burned his house, church, and town to the ground. Despite these tragedies, Gerhardt experienced the Lord’s loving protection. And so do you. Day by day the Lord protects you from things you are not even aware of. The Psalmist (121:7) reminds us: “The Lord will watch to keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life.”
He watches over your life in another way: through discipline. Sin, when it is unchecked, can take over your heart and life. You need the Lord to interject and point out to you when you stray. When he brings your sin to your attention, he doesn’t punish you. Rather, he takes that
sin away, casting it into the deepest ocean where it can never do you any harm. (See Micah 7:18m19)
Verse 3: His wisdom never plans in vain nor falters nor mistakes; all that his counsels may ordain a blessèd ending makes. Upon your lips, then, lay your hand, and trust his guiding love; then like a rock your peace shall stand here and in heav’n above
Since the world was created, people have searched for wisdom. People like Plato, Confucius, and Ghandi are revered for their wisdom and still studied today. Their wisdom cannot compare to God’s. God’s wisdom never fails. God in his wisdom sent his Son to save us. Through his Son, he accomplished the peace which surpasses all understanding. Peace with God both now and in heaven above. You certainly cannot comprehend all of God’s wisdom, but you can be reassured that God is always planning and working for your good.
You have every reason to trust God. Trust him to provide for you. Trust him to protect you. Trust him to forgive you. Trust in his wisdom. Trust in his love which saved you and now guides you.