The Story Behind The Song

The hymn most associated with Thanksgiving is "We Gather Together," written by Adrianus Valerius in 1597. The occasion for the writing of this hymn was the Battle of Turnhout. At this time in history the Dutch were fighting against the Catholic King Philip II of Spain, who had forbidden the Dutch people to gather for worship. After the victory by the Dutch, Valerius wrote this hymn to celebrate their freedom to now worship God.

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

As we gather together this Thanksgiving let us remember the many blessings that our God has bestowed upon us. May His name be ever praised!