A Devotion from Edward Kremser

Thanksgiving is not merely a day to be observed once each year; for the Christian it must be

a way of daily living.

No Thanksgiving Day gathering would be complete without the singing of this traditional

Dutch hymn. Today we sing this hymn as an expression of thanks to God as our defender and

guide throughout the past year. The text was originally written by an anonymous author at the

end of the 17th century to celebrate the Dutch freedom from the Spanish overlords, who had

been driven from their land. Freedom was now theirs, both politically from Spain and religiously

from the Catholic church.

“We Gather Together” must be understood and appreciated in its historical setting. For

many years, Holland had been under the scourge of Spain, and in 1576, Antwerp was captured

and sacked by the Spanish armies. Again, in 1585, it was captured by the Spanish and all of the

Protestant citizens were exiled. Many other Dutch cities suffered similar fates. During the 17th

century, however, there developed in Holland a time of great prosperity and rich post-

reformation culture. Commerce was expanded around the world, and this was the period of

great Dutch art, with such well-known painters as Rembrandt and Vermeer. In 1648 the Spanish

endeavors to control Holland were finally destroyed beyond recovery.

One can readily see the references to these historical events throughout the hymn’s text:

“The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,” as well as the concern in the final stanza

that God will continue to defend—“and pray that Thou still our defender will be.”

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 aide 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!