Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

The author of the hymn, Henry Jackson van Dyke, was born in Pennsylvania in 1852, and became pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. Henry later became professor of English literature at Princeton.  

In 1907, Henry van Dyke was invited to preach at Williams College in Massachusetts. At breakfast one morning, he handed the college president a piece of paper, saying, “Here is a hymn for you. Your mountains  (the Berkshires) were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethoven’s ‘Hymn of Joy.’ “  

When he was later asked about his hymn, van Dyke replied: “These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time - hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.”