This is hymn 4 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Hymn 4: BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE
1. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.
Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice!
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!
2. Be joyful, for He is the Lord,
On earth and in heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His word;
The Mighty and strong to redeem
3. What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail,
God’s armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail.
4. Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o’ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.
5. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
With harp, and with organ and voice
The loud hallelujahs prolong!
BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE HYMN COMMENTARY
Beloved in Christ, the hymn before us today, “Be Glad in the Lord and Rejoice,” is not merely a suggestion—it is a divine command and a spiritual weapon. In a world that offers endless reasons for anxiety and sorrow, this hymn calls us to a joy that is rooted not in our circumstances, but in the unchanging character and supreme power of our God. It is a call to choose joy based on who He is.
Why Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to actively obey the scriptural command to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). It is an act of defiant faith that lifts our eyes from our problems to our King, transforming our perspective and fortifying our hearts for spiritual conflict.
1. It is a Hymn of Heartfelt Choice (Verse 1)
The call to “be glad” is directed to a specific group: “All ye that are upright in heart… ye that have made him your choice.” This joy is the birthright of those in covenant relationship with God. It is not a shallow, fleeting happiness, but the deep-seated gladness of a heart aligned with its Creator. The command to “bid sadness and sorrow depart” is an act of the will. It is the deliberate decision, by faith, to displace despair with praise because of our chosen allegiance to Christ.
2. It is a Hymn of Sovereign Foundation (Verse 2)
Our joy has an unshakeable foundation. We are not conjuring a feeling; we are responding to reality. “Be joyful, for He is the Lord, On earth and in heaven supreme.” He is the Creator who “fashions and rules by His word,” and the Redeemer who is “The Mighty and strong to redeem.” Our joy is anchored in His absolute sovereignty and His proven power to save. The One who commands the cosmos holds our lives.
3. It is a Hymn of Unseen Reinforcements (Verse 3)
This verse speaks directly to the battles we face. When the “conflict for right” seems overwhelming and enemies “almost prevail,” the hymn reveals a heavenly truth. “God’s armies, just hid from your sight, Are more than the foes which assail.” This echoes the story of Elisha’s servant, whose eyes were opened to see the mountain full of fiery chariots (2 Kings 6:17). Our rejoicing is an affirmation that the spiritual reality—God’s overwhelming strength—is greater than the visible circumstance.
4. It is a Hymn of Steadfast Trust (Verse 4)
Here, the hymn acknowledges seasons of profound darkness—when troubles cloud our “day” and our “night” seems without a dawn. In such times, the command is not to pretend the darkness isn’t there, but to “let nothing your spirit dismay.” The key is active, persistent trust “till the danger is past.” Our gladness in the Lord is the fuel for that endurance, a light that shines in the deepest gloom because its source is eternal.
5. It is a Hymn of Triumphant Proclamation (Verse 5)
The hymn culminates in a full-throated, musical explosion of praise. Having grounded our joy in God’s nature and promises, we are now to “prolong” the “loud hallelujahs” with every instrument and voice at our disposal. This is the victory shout of a people who have looked beyond the temporal to the eternal, and have found their God utterly worthy of ceaseless praise.
The Refrain: The Heart’s Persistent Echo
The simple, doubled “Rejoice, rejoice!” is more than a lyric; it is a spiritual mantra. It is the heart’s persistent echo of the command, a reminder to continually return to the posture of gladness in God, especially when the path grows steep.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Is your heart heavy? Has sorrow, conflict, or spiritual darkness sought to dampen your spirit? This hymn is your prescribed medicine. Do not wait for your feelings to lead you; let your faith lead your feelings.
Choose to be glad in the Lord. Command your soul to rejoice in His supreme lordship. Remember the unseen armies fighting on your behalf. In your darkness, trust His faithfulness. And then, in faith—even if it starts as a whisper—lift a “hallelujah.” Proclaim His praise with your voice, for in doing so, you declare the victory of light over darkness, of God’s might over every foe.
Your joy is your testimony. Rejoice in the Lord, for He is worthy, He is supreme, and He is your strength.
In the mighty and praiseworthy name of Jesus, Amen.
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