Hymn-ful Sundays! "O Happy Day"

This week's hymn is by Philip Doddridge, and eighteenth century writer, teacher and hymn-writer in Britain. Doddridge was the youngest of twenty (!) children, and a clergyman of an independent church in Britain.

O happy day, that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.

Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! 
He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day 
Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away. 

 O happy bond, that seals my vows
To Him Who merits all my love!
Let cheerful anthems fill His house,
While to that sacred shrine I move.

 ’Tis done: the great transaction’s done!
I am the Lord’s and He is mine;
He drew me, and I followed on;
Charmed to confess the voice divine.

 Now rest, my long divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center, rest.
Here have I found a nobler part;
Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast.

High heaven, that heard the solemn vow,
That vow renewed shall daily hear,
Till in life’s latest hour I bow
And bless in death a bond so dear.

Philip Doddridge

Sometimes in life we forget that our salvation is a joyous event. This hymn calls on us to rejoice in remembering the day, and the days during which we experience(d) the saving grace of God. It is a call both to remember with joy the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, as well as the day we decided to answer the call that Jesus makes to each of us to follow Him. What a happy day indeed!

Be blessed and shine with happiness!

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