Scripture Verse

There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:10

Introduction

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Reginald Heber (1783–1826)

Words: Re­gi­nald He­ber (1783–1826). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Writ­ten and Adapt­ed to the Week­ly Church Ser­vice of the Year (Lon­don: J. Mur­ray, 1827), pag­es 82–83, alt.

Music: Gau­di­um Cæ­leste Charles H. H. Par­ry, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1904 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Charles H. H. Parry (1848–1918)

Lyrics

There was joy in Hea­ven!
There was joy in Hea­ven!
When this good­ly world to frame
The Lord of might and mer­cy came;
Shouts of joy were heard on high,
And the stars sang from the sky—
Glory to God in Heav’n!

There was joy in Hea­ven!
There was joy in Hea­ven!
When the bil­lows, heav­ing dark,
Sank around the strand­ed ark,
And the rain­bow’s wa­tery span
Spake of mer­cy, hope to man,
And peace with God in Heav’n!

There was joy in Hea­ven!
There was joy in Hea­ven!
When of love the mid­night beam
Dawned on tow­ers of Beth­le­hem,
And along the ec­ho­ing hill
Angels sang—On earth good will,
And glo­ry in the Heav’n!

There was joy in Hea­ven!
There was joy in Hea­ven!
When the sheep that went as­tray
Turns again to vir­tue’s way,
When the soul, by grace sub­dued,
Sobs its pray­er of gra­ti­tude,
Then there is joy in Heav’n!