All hymns point to God, and thinking about God is always going to bring some element of joy, but here I’m thinking particularly of songs with joyful melodies, sometimes associated with Jewish folk music. Way back in the 1970s, Stuart Dauermann wrote Trees of the Field (You Shall Go Out with Joy) for the Liberated Wailing Wall, the touring singing group of Jews for Jesus. This song was hugely popular in Irish evangelical churches and in the Roman Catholic charismatic movement. Several songs with a similar style followed, sometimes forming part of a medley. Here are six that I remember. I wish that there were more 😀.
1 You Shall Go Out with Joy
Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
This poetic imagery symbolizes the harmony and celebration that comes when God’s purposes are fulfilled. It’s often seen as a promise of restoration and hope.
2 Lord Give Me Also Springs of Water
Judges 1:15
She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
In the book of Judges, Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, recognizes the value of water sources in an arid region and confidently asks for what is needed to make her land fruitful. In the New Testament, we are encouraged to be bold in prayer. Matt 7:7. As Christians, we ask for more of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in our lives. See also John 4:13-14, John 7:37-39, Revelation 22:17.
3 Come and Praise the Living God
Hebrews 12:22
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
Lyrics and chords are available on e-chords. If you want to hear it as it was sung back in 1980, see Songs of Victory 😀. Hebrews 12 emphasizes the stark contrast between the fearful experience of the Israelites at Mount Sinai (mentioned earlier in Hebrews 12) and the joyous, welcoming atmosphere of Mount Zion. It symbolizes the believer’s access to God’s presence, the heavenly community, and the hope of eternal fellowship with Him.
4 Jubilate Everybody
Psalm 100:1-2
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
“Jubilate” comes from the Latin word jubilare, meaning “to shout for joy” or “to exult.” It is often associated with expressions of praise and celebration. In Christian contexts, “Jubilate” can refer to Psalm 100, also known as the Jubilate Deo, which begins with “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” This psalm is a call to worship and thanksgiving, embodying the spirit of joy and gladness in the presence of God.
5 Through Our God We Shall Do Valiantly
Psalm 108:12-13
Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.
13 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.
The verses encourage believers to put their trust in God’s power and faithfulness, rather than in their own abilities or external support. It’s a reminder of humility and dependence on God’s strength.
6 Bring a Psalm
Ps 22:3
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises
Bring a psalm to the Lord, from the Spirit and from the Word
Some might be puzzled by equating psalms from the Spirit with those from the Word (the Bible). The Bible is the inspired word of God. Hymns aren’t inspired in the way that the Bible is. Yet, who would doubt that the Holy Spirit inspires people to express their faith in music.
7. Great is the Lord and Mighty in Power
Ps 147:5-6
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
I don’t actually remember this one, but I heard it on one of the worship tapes that people upload to YouTube. Songs of the Kingdom 1 by Scripture In Song.
8. Shalom Shalom
2 Peter 1:2
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Anyway, I was very pleased to find all these on YouTube. I fear that in a few years, these might be completely forgotten. Perhaps modern churches have no taste for them. And maybe traditional churches never thought much of them in the first place. I do hope that we can sing them in heaven even if we can no longer sing them down here 😀.
Hibernia Gospel 