O let the harps break forth in sound!
Our joy be all with music crowned,
Our voices gladly blending!
For Christ goes with us all the way—
Today, tomorrow, ev’ry day!
His love is never ending!
       Sing out! Ring out!
    Jubilation!
    Exaltation!
         Tell the story!
Great is He, the King of Glory! (LSB 395, v. 5)

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and the world’s only Savior. He has promised to be with us to the end of the age – “Today, tomorrow, ev’ry day!” He is our great and glorious King forever. This Epiphany hymn encourages the church to join our voices together in song, praising our God with joy for all that He has done.

One notable thing about this hymn is the proliferation of exclamation marks. Most editors will tell you to avoid overusing exclamation marks — one is usually enough. But the joy that Christ gives us cannot be contained. There aren’t enough exclamation marks available to express the joy and the peace that is ours because of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus. His death and resurrection have freed us from sin, death and the power of the devil. We are His and He is ours. And that is reason to sing jubilant and exultant songs.

May that joy also overflow into our daily lives in witness to Jesus’ love and glory. Your neighbor needs to hear the Gospel. Your co-workers need to hear the Gospel. Your congregation members need to hear the Gospel. Your spouse, your friends, your children all need to hear the Gospel. Tell the story.

May our witness also flow out into the entire world. Just as Epiphany celebrates Jesus as the Light of the world, so it reminds us that there are many who are still walking in darkness. May the Lord grant us opportunity to speak His Word to someone this day who needs to hear it.

And through all our days and weeks and years, Christ Jesus Himself remains the same. His love will never run out or end. His mercies are new every morning. And He is returning soon. May our voices sing out and ring out His praises, and may our lips and tongues be made ready to tell the story, that all may join in this rejoicing.

In Christ’s love,

Dr. Thomas J. Egger
President