We Gather Together

Today we sang this old hymn in church. Before I led the song, unknown to me, Rick had looked this song up in the book "Then Sings My Soul" Book 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Rick prefaced our singing with a summary of the story behind the song:

In the 1500's there were those of Belgium that struggled for religious freedom under the rule of Spain. "We Gather Together" was written to celebrate the freedom that was gained when the people were finally free to worship openly together. 

"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 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 excape tribulation:
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!"