Let Us With a Gladsome Mind
Let us with a gladsome mind
The hymn reflects Lutheran emphasis on God's sovereignty and providential care over creation, inviting congregational response through grateful praise. It connects to the First Article of the Creed, celebrating God the Creator and His continuing mercies.
History & Background
Originally composed by John Milton as a paraphrase of Psalm 136 for his metrical psalm collection, likely written in 1623. It has been widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals since the 20th century and serves as a song of thanksgiving for God's creation and providence.
In Jewish tradition, Psalm 136 served with 135 as an appendage to Scripture References the “Songs of Ascents. ” Like 135, it is a liturgy of praise to the st. 1 = w. 1-2 LORD as Creator and as Israel’s Redeemer, noteworthy for its st. 2 = w. 34 recounting of Israel’s history (see also 78,105, and 106). This st. 3 = w. 5-7 song’s obvious antiphonal form presupposes recitation by a Levite st. 4 = w. 8-9 soloist (or choir) and responses by the worshiping congregation, st. 5 = w. 10-14 The psalmist calls on the saints to thank and praise the LORD, the st. 6 = v. 15 kind and true God (st. 1), the one who rules over all (st. 2). God is st. 7 = w. 16-20 the Creator of heaven and earth (st. 3) and of the sun, moon, and st. 8 = w. 21-22 stars (st. 4). The LORD struck down Egypt’s firstborn and parted st. 9 = w. 23-25 the Red Sea to lead Israel out of slavery (st. 5), and then brought st. 10 = v. 26 the waters down upon Pharaoh and his army (st. 6). God sustained the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness and destroyed the kingdoms in the land of Canaan (st. 7) to give Israel their promised land (st. 8). God has ever rescued and sustained us, says the psalmist (st. 9); so let us thank and praise the LORD (st. 10). The versification of Psalm 136 is a 1985 revision by Marie J. Post of the twenty-four-stanza versification written by John Milton (b. Cheapside, London, England, 1608; d. London, 1674) in 1623 when he was fourteen years old. The litany’s refrain appears in the second half of each even-numbered stanza. Another setting of Psalm 136 is at 182. The greatest English poet of the seventeenth century, Milton was also, at various times, a teacher, pamphleteer, and statesman. Educated at St. Paul’s School and Christ College, Cambridge, he mastered Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, as well as most modern European languages. A voracious reader of literature and theological works, Milton was also a staunch supporter of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans; he wrote fiery pamphlets defending their causes. He also wrote famous—though not always well-received—essays on freedom of expression and divorce on the basis of incompatibility. Cromwell appointed him Secretary of Foreign Tongues in 1649, but Milton fell from grace when Charles II returned to the throne in 1660. Although he had been a skillful poet throughout his life, Milton’s greatest achievement came in his last years. After his political demise and the loss of his sight, he wrote Paradise Lost (1667) and Paradi
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 857
- The Hymnal 1982 — 389
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 521
- Lutheran Worship — 436
- Psalter Hymnal — 136
Liturgical Use
Psalm 136 in many ways parallels Psalm 135 and thus will have similar uses. Psalm 136 is the only psalm structured entirely in litany form. It serves well for Easter and for baptisms as a processional or gathering song, at the close of worship as a doxology (usingthe frame formed by st. 1-2 and 9-10), and at Thanksgiving (st. 14,9-10).
Bulletin Note
Milton's paraphrase of Psalm 136, written in 1623, became a cornerstone of Reformed hymnody. Its repeated refrain "His mercies endure forever" anchors faith in God's covenantal faithfulness across all creation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies Gospel proclamation by teaching the congregation that gratitude for creation flows from assurance of God's sovereign goodness—not from our earning it, but from receiving it as sheer mercy.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Fourth Petition Small Catechism — The Lord's Prayer
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Retrospective gratitude for God's past faithfulness (St. 1-2) → Prospective petition for future protection and alignment with God's will (St. 3-4)
Themes
God's providence Gratitude Creation care Divine mercy Praise