Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart

There were many reasons to be discouraged and defeated. But Edward Plumptre realized that Christians are charged to have a different attitude. To fill their lives with rejoicing!

Plumptre was born in London on this day in 1821. After graduating from college with honors, he became a teacher and then a pastor. Respected for his scholarship and integrity, he was asked to serve on the Old Testament committee for the 1881 English Revised Version of the Bible.

Today, he is better remembered as author of the hymn “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart.” Written in 1865 for the Peterborough Choral Festival, it was based on two important Biblical truths: the importance of purity, and a call for Christians to have lives filled with rejoicing.

No matter what we face, we are to “rejoice, give thanks, and sing.” Instead of being afraid or timid, we are directed to wave on high the glorious banner of “the cross of Christ your King.”

We can allow ourselves to be dominated by problems and worries, but Plumptre reminded us that believers are constantly to rejoice. No matter what we are facing.

When we rejoice, we are joining “the angel choirs” and “all the saints of earth,” raising hosannas and alleluias. “With voice as full and strong as ocean’s surging praise, send forth the hymns our fathers loved, the psalms of ancient days.” We need to “praise Him Who reigns on high, the Lord Whom we adore, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore.”

Today, make sure that your heart is pure and clean before the Lord. Do not allow problems to weigh you down. Sing, speak, and even shout praises to God. He is worthy!