From the writer of Everlasting God and Adoration comes a stunning brand new album that will strengthen and inspire the church the world over.

Brenton Brown's 'Our God Is Near' features songs Our God Is Mercy, Joyful, Glorious and We Lift You Up. The first single to be released from the highly anticipated album is Joyful.

Here Brenton talks about the story behind the song:

Joyful has pretty great pedigree! The verse melody was penned by Beethoven in 1785, the verse lyrics were penned by Henry van Dyke (US ambassador to the Netherlands and Professor of Literature at Princeton in the early 1900’s) and the bridge was written with Jason Ingram, who helped produce the track. (Give me your eyes - Brandon Heath; By your side - Tenth Avenue North). The verse melody is 225 years old! And yet it still feels fresh. That’s writing!

Van Dyke, a professor of literature at Princeton, wrote of the hymn ‘These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope’.

This hope is as true as it was a century ago. As much as has changed in the last century, what remains true for today, even during this economic downturn is that Jesus Christ is the hope and Savior of the world. He is is the One who’s hand lifts us from the grave. He is our rescue. And as we turn our hearts and eyes towards Christmas it is this hope that we celebrate and rejoice in at this important time in the Christian calendar.

‘We know that this man really is the Savior of the world’ (John 4.42) and because our lives and hearts are held in His, we can be joyful!

Joyful [the One who saves]
Joyful joyful we adore You, God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of Eternal gladness fill us with the light of day (cause)

You are the One who saves, You are the One who saves
You are the One who’s hands lift us from the grave
You are the light of life, the everlasting day
You are the One who takes all our sins away

You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed
Fountain of the joy of living, ocean depths of happy rest

Jesus you are my rescue, Jesus you are my rescue
I give you everything I am