All My Heart This Night Rejoices.

I was going to call this ‘another oldie but goodie’ but that is such a trite description of Paul Gerhardt’s sweet song of rejoicing and victory. He wrote it in 1653 and Catherine Winkworth, bless her little linguist heart, translated it in 1858. If you can find the tune by Johann Ebeling in 1666 please listen. It will fill you with joy.

All my heart this night rejoices

As I hear

Far and near

Sweetest angel voices.

"Christ is born," their choirs are singing

Till the air

Everywhere

Now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqueror goeth,

Who the foe,

Sin and woe,

Death and hell, o'erthroweth.

God is man, man to deliver;

His dear Son

Now is one

With our blood forever.

Shall we still dread God's displeasure,

Who, to save,

Freely gave

His most cherished treasure?

To redeem us, he hath given

His own Son

From the throne

Of his might in heaven.

He becomes the Lamb that taketh

Sin away

And for aye

Full atonement maketh.

For our life his own he tenders;

And our race,

By his grace,

Meet for glory renders.

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,

Soft and sweet,

Doth entreat:

"Flee from woe and danger,

Brethren, from all ills that grieve you

You are freed;

All you need

I will surely give you."

Come, then, banish all your sadness,

One and all,

Great and small;

Come with songs of gladness.

Love him who with love is glowing;

Hail the star,

Near and far

Light and joy bestowing.

Dearest Lord, thee will I cherish.

Though my breath

Fail in death,

Yet I shall not perish,

But with thee abide for ever

There on high,

In that joy

Which can vanish never.