“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart”
Edward H. Plumptre wrote the following hymn in 1865 as a processional hymn for a choir festival in a church in England.
Rejoice, ye pure in heart Yes, on through life’s long path,
rejoice, give thanks, and sing; still chanting as ye go;
your glorious banner wave on high, from youth to age, by night and day,
the cross of Christ your King. In gladness and in woe.
Refrain At last the march shall end;
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice the wearied ones shall rest;
give thanks and sing. the pilgrims find their heavenly home,
Jerusalem the blest.
Your clear hosannas raise,
and alleluias loud; Praise God who reigns on high,
whilst answering echoes upward float, the Lord whom we adore,
like wreaths of incense cloud. the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
one God forevermore.
This hymn of praise encourages everyone to “rejoice, give thanks, and sing” to Jesus the Christ, our redeemer. The praise is to continue throughout life and in whatever circumstance as noted in stanza three. Eternal life is the subject of stanza four and an emphasis on the Trinity is given in the last stanza.
How do you praise God in the midst of economic instability, war, world chaos, hatred and violence? What words would appear in your “hymn of praise” today? Do petitions for help or guidance belong with praise and if so how? How about this?
Rejoice, my wounded heart
rejoice for God is here;
God will hear, listen and comfort,
rejoice, give thanks, and pray.
Raise your cries for justice,
raise them loud, raise them high;
then act with purpose and with strength,
to bring God’s reign to all.
Now it’s your turn to share with God your concerns for our world and then to give thanks for God’s listening presence in our midst. Yes, rejoice, give thanks, pray, sing, and work for justice for all God’s children.
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, and quarterly retreats and art exhibits.