Written by John S Monsell. Son of Thomas Bewley Monsell, archdeacon of Londonderry, Ireland, Monsell attended Trinity College in Dublin, and was ordained in 1834. In 1853, he was assigned to a post in England, serving as Vicar of Egham, Surrey, until 1870, and Rector at St. Nicholas’, Guildford, until 1875. He was killed as the result of an infected wound from a fall from the roof of the church while it was being rebuilt. He had helped in the rebuilding of three churches he was part of. He created 11 volumes of poetry encompassing almost 300 hymns.
Lyrics
On our way rejoicing, as we homeward move,
Hearken to our praises, O Thou God of love!
Is there grief or sadness? Thou our joy shalt be;
Is our sky beclouded? There is light with Thee.
Refrain
On our way rejoicing, as we homeward move,
Hearken to our praises, O Thou God of love!
If with honest hearted love for God and man,
Day by day Thou find us doing all we can,
Thou who givest the seed time, will give large increase,
Crown the head with blessings, fill the heart with peace.
Refrain
On our way rejoicing gladly let us go;
Conquered hath our Leader, vanquished is our foe;
Christ without, our safety, Christ within, our joy;
Who, if we be faithful, can our hope destroy?
Refrain
Unto God the Father joyful songs we sing;
Unto God the Savior thankful hearts we bring;
Unto God the Spirit bow we and adore;
On our way rejoicing now and evermore.
I look at the words to this hymn and as I read them over I find myself asking… am I rejoicing? Am I finding ways to praise God as we go through a time of transition and the stress that goes with it? Am I remembering that God is my joy? That he won’t let my hope be destroyed, and that he continues to love and mind me full well.
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