One of my favorite songs that I learned in grade school music class is "We Gather Together". Every year our school sang this song at Thanksgiving pageants, so naturally I've always connected it with Indians and Pilgrims as they gather together to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. I mean, c'mon...the lyrics are practically shouting, "We give thanks!"
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!
My childhood mind could not figure out the real meaning of "sing praises to His name, He forgets not his own." I thought it meant that God does not forget that his name is God. It wasn't until I was in high school that I realized that it means God does not forget his people.
Well, duh! What an epiphany!
When looking up the lyrics today, I learned that We Gather Together was not written especially for Thanksgiving, but was written in 1597 to celebrate a Dutch victory, who were, indeed, giving a big shout out for praise for their safety and for freedom.
This is the website that I visited this morning to learn more about the song. It has the beautiful melody playing in the background as you read about the song of praise and read the lyrics.
Just listening to it brings back many happy childhood memories.
Today, as we count our blessings, I hope that you are also remembering the happy times in your lives.
Marcheta *epiphanized
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