Yea,
in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our
soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. (Isaiah 26:8)
Though suitable to serve as an Advent hymn, today's great masterpiece can be
enjoyed at every season of the Church calendar - just as Christmas Hymns may
be. .It is a favorite number at weddings and other formal affairs. This
hymn choral arrangement represents the biblical perspective of its composers as
well as the Word of God itself. The greatest name associated with the hymn is
that of Johann Sebastian Bach, but this great and Godly composer is not the
only musical genius whose hands labored to produce this masterpiece of
Christian musical composition. Though the words are essentially a paraphrase of
scriptural truths and promises, they were first recorded (in 1661) by Martin
Janus. The first musical composition was by Johann Schop in 1664. However, the
genius of Bach gave the music and the words a deepening reverence that has made
this hymn a living work of the people of God. Bach arranged this piece as a
finale to his Cantata 147 in 1723.
Almost everyone hearing this great hymn will attribute it alone to Bach, but it
is the product of more than one heart devoted to God. What do you suppose Bach
would say about sharing the glory of this musical creation? He would consider
it of no consequence whatsoever for Bach gave God the glory for all of his work
in music; in fact, he always appended the words, Soli Deo Gloria, (Solely to
the glory of God) to each of his works. He took no credit for his compositions
because he, rightly so, believed that God inspired the words and music.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that
fashioned,
With the fire of life
impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.
Through the way where hope is
guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee
confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless
springs.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest
pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring, Holy wisdom, love most bright; Drawn by Thee,
our souls aspiring Soar to uncreated light. When I read the words of this
hymn, I feel that I am reading the Gospel itself and, frankly, I am truly
reading the Word of God in paraphrase. Jesus (pronounced YESU) is a more
accurate rendering of the name of Jesus than our English since the Hebrew has
no 'J'. It is short for Yeshua (or Joshua in English) which means the Salvation
of God. Isaiah prophesied truly when he said: the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance
of thee. All wisdom comes from God. If any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning. (James 1:5,17) We did not draw ourselves to
Christ - He drew US! All who come to Christ are drawn there. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all
men unto me. (John 12:32) Soaring to the Mercy Seat of
God, we soar to 'UNCREATED' Light! Christ is our Light of the world, and in Him
is no darkness. He was not created, but has lived with the Father from Eternity
past. He is our Sun. (Malachi 4:2, 2 Peter 1:19), and the Beautiful Morning Star
which first appears in the heavens as the Evening Star and abides until the sun
of Righteousness arises and vanquishes every other star.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned, With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown, Soaring, dying round Thy throne.
Our Creator and Redeemer was Jesus Christ - the WORD. In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the
beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3) The mysteries of God have not
been revealed to man completely. We can only learn new and hidden mysteries
through mastering the simple ones of our youth, and growing on the meat of
God's Word. We can only learn, as mortals, from the known to the unknown, and
not the other way around. If we are to live in Christ, we must first take up
our cross and DIE in Christ that we may arise in Him as He did at the Garden
Tomb.
Through the way where hope is guiding, Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding, Drink of joy from deathless springs. Jesus is the Light of Life (John
1:4) and our
Guiding Light through every dark valley - even that valley of the mere shadow
of death. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine
own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. (Psalm
77:6) Ye
shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness
of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD,
to the mighty One of Israel. (Isaiah
30:29) Those who
place their trust in the Lord shall never die - they are deathless springs of
living waters. The Church is that Flock of Christ which follows where He leads
to green pastures and still waters.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure; Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own In the love of joys unknown. Who
can love and appreciate beauty if not those who love the Lord and His pristine
art in nature. This hymn, Yesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, is a classic work
of the inspired work of an artist who listened intently to the whispers of God
deep in His soul. It is classic because it has enduring value and harbors God's
immutable truth and beauty in word and music. Five hundred years from now (if
the Lord tarries) good Christian men and women will still be inspired by this
masterpiece while the little cheap, Gospel ditties of our own time are long
forgotten. Only a faithful Christian can understand and appreciate the
Treasures of the Snow to which God refers in the book of Job (Job 38:22). The
hidden wisdom of God is reserved for those who will treasure them and not for
the common fare of swine. Only a Devout Christian can walk into the early dews
and roses of the Garden at dawn and hear that voice 'calling on their ear.' The
joy of Christ cannot be defined or described in scientific terms for that love
transcends science and logic. In fact, the love of god never dies, and when we
have that love in our hearts, neither shall we!
I append as a postscript some select quotes of Johan Sebastian Bach:
The aim and final end of all music should be none
other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. Music is an
agreeable harmony permissible for the honor of God and the delights of the
soul. I play the notes as they are
written, but it is God who makes the music.
Johann Sebastian Bach
And
be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for
all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Eph
5:18-20)
