In the early 1600s, Dutch settlers brought the Prayer of Thanksgiving to the “New World”. Music, based on a Netherlands folk hymn, was added and it became a favorite in the colonies and today is a traditional Thanksgiving hymn. This a translation by Theodore Baker (1851-1934).
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 devine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!
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 devine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!
We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Amen
More Songs:
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Come, Ye Thankful People Come
Faith of Our Fathers
For the Beauty of the Earth
Grandma Stuffed the Turkey
Here We Go Over to Silly Tilly’s
Now Thank We All our God
Over the river and through the wood
Singing, the Reapers Homeward Come
To Gramma’s House