Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart

Edward H. Plumptre was a Christian intellectual. Born in London in 1821, he became a well-known Anglican scholar, author, theologian, and preacher. For many years he served as chaplain of King’s College, where he also taught pastoral theology and New Testament exegesis. He wrote books on the classics, history, theology, biblical criticism, and biography. He served on the Old Testament Company for the Revision of the Authorized Version of the Holy Scriptures, and for the last ten years of his life (1881-1891), he was the dean of Wells Cathedral.

Edward was also a poet. In May, 1865, he was preparing for the annual choir festival in the majestic, towering cathedral of Peterborough, England. Needing a long and celebratory processional to give the participating choirs time to proceed down the aisles, he focused his thoughts on two passages of Scripture:

Psalm 20:5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say rejoice!

Inspired by those verses, Edward, 44, began writing:

Rejoice ye pure in heart;   rejoice, give thanks, and sing;  

Your glorious  banner wave on high,   The cross of Christ your King.

Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!