We Gather Together
Posted by Hal in Hymns

This is another favorite.  This is a Dutch hymn written in 1597 to celebrate a great victory, 23 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth!  Since the Pilgrims lived for a time in Holland, it’s especially appropriate to include in our Thanksgiving hymnbook.

We Gather Together
Words & Music: Adrianus Valerius
English Translation: Theodore Baker, 1894

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!