Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!
Making the choice to read aloud words penned by Henry van Dyke in 1907, allowing the strings of my vocal chords to vibrate the waters within my flesh,
I am changed.
Not completely at first, but my spirit is lifted from the hard, stale place it was, to a new and lifted height.
Only moments ago, my earthly thoughts had me overwhelmed,
But the melody of Beethoven and the rich poem add a breath and flight to my night terrors and fright.
“Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away.” Yes, Dear Lord, Almighty God of heaven, only You have supernatural power to do this for me.
Jesus, You willingly shed Your blood for me.”
The words I struggle to pray are enclosed in this glorious hymn,
Just for me! God is an intimate God.
I am brought to a place to give Him praise:
All the works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays; Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise . . .
Thou art giving and forgiving. Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!
The daily battle to go astray and forget to put off fret and put on a garment of praise.
My daily battles bring defeat when I become a victim of life’s circumstance. Confused, critical, provoked, and faith-less.
But God:
Mortals join the mighty chorus, Which the Morning Stars began. Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife; Joyful music lifts us sunward, In the triumph song of life.
Yes, let’s be changed from sadness and doubt. Let’s believe God’s promises and by a filling of His glorious Spirit, let’s shine bright.
Joyful, adoring our Christ Who saved our self destructive, 
anxious, sinful life.
He makes us gloriously new!