One of my favorite Thanksgiving hymns, though the Eastern Orthodox do not sing it, is “We gather together.” I think it is a hymn that mixes together both the aspect of Thanksgiving and the idea that God does work with us to guide us and to chasten us (for our sins) as necessary.
It is not an American hymn. Rather, it is a Dutch hymn written in the 16th century, translated into Latin, translated into German, and finally also translated into English, but not until almost the 20th century. Interestingly enough, it was originally written to celebrate a Dutch victory. But, it quickly caught on in America, and became a hymn that is often traditionally sung at this season of the year.
As you look at the words, you might think it strange that it talks about his chastening, but look back at my previous post in which I comment that Americans in two prior centuries considered that a Day of Thanksgiving was not just for thanks, but also for confession. However, notice that this hymn expresses the unshakable confidence that we will not be forgotten and that God will stand beside us to make sure that his kingdom will triumph. No, the Dutch did not assume that his kingdom and their kingdom was the same thing. Rather, they assumed that God’s intention was to take us to his final victory and that the final victory was being worked out in the events of today.
Should you wish to hear a midi rendition of the melody, you can find it here.
We gather together (trans. Theodore Baker)
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!
We went to a small Methodist church today and sang this. It was so lovely.
Bless me, Father.
Some Orthodox will sing “We Gather Together”.
At Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco we will sing this hymn on Thanksgiving. Bishop Benjamin will serve the Divine Liturgy in the temple, then we will all go to the hall and sing this hymn, followed by the Our Father. Then His Grace will bless the food, and we will eat together.