The Story Behind the Hymns THE STORY BEHIND "LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND " 🎶 “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind” is a joyful hymn based on Psalm 136, the biblical psalm known for its repeated refrain: “For His mercy endureth for ever.” The hymn celebrates God’s enduring mercy, faithfulness, and mighty works in creation and history. The words were written by the famous English poet John Milton (1608–1674), best known for his epic work Paradise Lost. In 1624, when Milton was still a teenager studying at St. Paul’s School in London, he produced a poetic paraphrase of Psalm 136. His version retained the psalm’s spirit of gratitude while presenting it in elegant English verse. Milton opened the hymn with the well-known lines: Let us with a gladsome mind Praise the Lord, for He is kind; For His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure. The hymn moves through the great acts of God described in the psalm, His creation of the heavens and earth, His guidance of His people, and His constant mercy that never fails. In the 19th century, the text was paired with the lively German melody “MONKLAND,” composed by John Antes (1740–1811), an American-born Moravian composer and missionary. The tune’s bright, rhythmic character perfectly matches the hymn’s call to joyful praise, helping it become a favorite in many hymnals. Today, “Let Us with a Gladsome Mind” continues to be sung in churches around the world. Its repeated theme reminds believers that God’s mercy endures forever, inviting worshippers in every generation to respond with gratitude and praise.