Rejoice in the Lord alway

General information

Philippians 4: 4-7 English translation of the introit for the third Sunday in Advent. See also Proper 23 A and OT 27A in 3-year lectionaries.

Settings by composers

• Anonymous SATB (version 3)
• Henry Purcell SATB (version 1)
• John Sheppard AATB (version 2)

• Gaudete in Domino (Giaches de Wert) (1st verse only, in Latin)

Original text and translations

English text

Version 1 (Purcell) Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ our Lord.

German translation Seid fröhlich im Herrn allzeit, allewege freuet euch. Eure Freundlichkeit lasst erfahren. erfahren alle Menschen. Der Herr ist ja nah. Um nichts macht euch Sorgen, sondern lasst in allen Dingen eure Bitten mit Danksagung, Beten und Flehen kundwerden vor Gott. Und der Friede Gottes, welcher alle Vernunft übersteigt, bewahre euch durch Christus unsern Herrn.

Version 2 (Shepperd) Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice. Let your restraint be known unto all men. The Lord is e'en at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in all prayer and supplication let your petition be manifest unto God, with giving of thanks. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Version 3 (Mulliner Book) Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice. Let your softness be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing: but in all prayer and supplication, let your petitions be manifest unto God with giving of thanks. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesu. Amen.