Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart

This regal processional from the late 1800s still embodies the church’s call to worship: “Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing!”

Song History: Arthur H. Messiter’s tune expresses majesty and jubilation in this triumphant anthem. English clergyman Edward H. Plumptre had written the text eighteen years earlier for a choral festival processional–eleven stanzas to give all the choirs time to enter. Here are my three favorite stanzas from this joyful call to worship.