Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
Rejoice, rejoice, believers
The hymn emphasizes the Lutheran doctrine of Christ's second coming and the believer's responsibility to maintain spiritual readiness through faith. It balances eschatological hope with ethical urgency, reflecting the reformational integration of Law and Gospel in Christian living.
History & Background
Written by Swedish hymnist Laurentius Laurenti in the early 18th century as a meditation on Christ's return and the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Translated into English by Scottish hymnwriter Sarah Borthwick Findlater in 1883, becoming widely adopted in Lutheran and other Protestant hymnals.
Considered to be one of the finest hymn writers of the Pietistic Scripture References period, Laurentius Laurenti wrote this text based on the st. 1-2 = Matt. 25:1-13 parable of the wise and foolish maidens (Matt. 25:1-13; see also 613). Stanzas 1 and 2 focus on the expected coming of the bridegroom; stanza 3 is a prayer for Christ’s return to complete the work of redemption and to set his people free. Born Lorenz Lorenzen (b. Husum, Schleswig, Germany, 1660; d. Bremen, Germany, 1722) in Schleswig (which at various times has been ruled by Denmark), Laurenti studied at the University of Rostock and in Kiel. In 1684 he moved to Bremen, where he was appointed music director and cantor in the Lutheran Cathedral Church. A well known writer of German hymns in the Pietist tradition, Laurenti based most of his hymn texts on the gospel lessons for the church year. They were published in Evangelia MelodicaQQ). Sarah Borthwick Findlater (b. Edinburgh, Scotland, 1823; d. Torquay, England, 1907) translated the text into English and published it in Hymns from the Land ofLuther (1854), a collection of 122 hymns translated by her (53 hymns) and her sister Jane Borthwick. Findlater was a fine linguist; as a translator of German chorales, she is considered second only to Catherine Winkworth . Findlater’s husband, Eric John, was a pastor in the Free Church of Scotland in Lochearnhead, Perthshire. The Findlater parsonage was known as being literate and hospitable. 481 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 687
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 244
- Glory to God — 362
- The Hymnal 1982 — 68
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 25
- Lutheran Service Book — 515
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 80
- Lutheran Worship — 23
- New Century Hymnal — 176
- Psalter Hymnal — 333
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 72
- United Methodist Hymnal — 720
- Voices Together — 424
- With One Voice — 642
Translation
Liturgical Use
During Advent, focusing on Christ’s second coming.
Bulletin Note
Written by Swedish pastor Laurentius Laurenti in 1700, this hymn draws from the parable of the ten virgins, urging believers toward spiritual vigilance without anxiety—a hallmark of Lutheran eschatology balancing preparation with assurance of grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran integration of Law and Gospel: the imperative to watch and prepare meets the indicative promise of Christ's certain return, transforming eschatological anxiety into confident, active hope.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Christ’s Return to Judgment Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Incarnation (stanzas 1-2) → Reception (stanza 3) → Celebration (stanza 4)
Themes
Christ's return Watchfulness Preparation for judgment Christian hope Vigilance