You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:How Great Our Joy
Tune:[While by the sheep we watched at night]

104. How Great Our Joy

1 While by the sheep we watched at night,
lo, there appeared an angel bright'

Refrain:
How great our joy! Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heav'n on high!
Praise we the Lord in heav'n on high!

2 There shall be born, so he did say,
In Bethlehem a Child today. [Refrain]

3 There shall the Child lie in a stall,
This Child who shall redeem us all. [Refrain]

4 This gift of God we'll cherish well,
That ever joy our hearts shall fill. [Refrain]

Text Information
First Line: While by the sheep we watched at night
Title: How Great Our Joy
Language: English
Publication Date: 2008
Topic: Christmas
Source: German Carol
Tune Information
Name: [While by the sheep we watched at night]
Key: a minor or modal
Source: German Melody



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.