Tags
fascism, Freedom, freedom from oppression, freedom of conscience, National Liberation, Nazi Germany, Oppression, Religious persecution, separation of church and state, Thanksgiving, tribulation, We Gather Together, World War II
At the time the hymn was written, the Dutch were engaged in a war of national liberation against the Catholic King Philip II of Spain. “Wilt heden nu treden,” “We gather together” resonated because under the Spanish King, Dutch Protestants were forbidden to gather for worship… The popularity of the hymn increased during World War II, when “the wicked oppressing” were understood to include Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and Fascist Italy.
“We Gather Together”
“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 guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!”
(Theodore Baker translation, 1894)
“We Gather Together” https://youtu.be/NcH_bvZULmY
US Constitution of the United States
First Amendment
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the…
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