Hymn lyrics to We Gather Together, aka. Thanksgiving Song.
Originally a Dutch hymn. The Dutch were engaged in a war of national liberation against the Catholic King Philip II of Spain. “We gather together” resonated because under the Spanish King, Dutch Protestants were forbidden to gather for worship.
Translated to English by Theodore Baker, 1894
Verse 1:
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.
Verse: 2
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!
Verse 3:
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!
Paul Sjolund, 1984
additional verse added in “Festival Hymn of Thanksgiving” arrg.
Verse 4:
With voices United, our praises we offer,
To thee in thanksgiving, glad anthems we raise.
Thy strong arm will guide us,
For thou art beside us,
to Father, Son, and Spirit, forever be praised!