At the end of the 16th Century, the Dutch people prayed for freedom from Spanish rule. Among other harsh decrees, the Spanish king had denied them the freedom to worship. In 1597, the Spaniards were defeated, and a cry of victory can be heard in this hymn someone wrote for the occasion. The Dutch text was translated to English in 1894 by Theodore Baker, an American musicologist¹. Perhaps this is fitting for your congregation this morning?

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,
Whose kingdom calls all to the love which endures.
So from the beginning the fight we were winning:
You, Lord, were at our side; all glory be yours!

We all do extol you, our leader triumphant,
And pray that you still our defender will be.
Let your congregation escape tribulation:
Your name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

¹page 228 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church