“Let us with a gladsome mind” is a paraphrase of Psalm 136, (according to John Julian) made by John Milton when he was 15 years old. The original paraphrase has 24 stanzas, though most of them are not printed in hymnals. “Let us with a gladsome mind” was printed in 1645 in Poems of Mr. John Milton, Both English and Latin, Compos’d at Several Times. The meter is 7s., the psalm often paired with Monkland (a tune with which I am not particularly familiar).
Milton was born in London on December 9, 1608. Perhaps best known for “Paradise Lost,” he became quite important in English literature and poetry, and his 19 psalms are a minor contribution in comparison. Brittanica calls him the most significant English author after William Shakespeare. John Milton died in London November 8, 1674. He is buried at St. Giles Cripplegate Churchyard, and also has a cenotaph at Westminster Abbey.
Like the Psalm, the paraphrase has a repeating refrain extolling the forever faithful and certain mercies of God.
Psalm 136
Praise the Lord, for he is kind,
For his mercies ay endure,
Ever faithfull, ever sure.
For of gods he is the God;
For, &c.
That doth the wrathfull tyrants quell.
For, &c.
Amazed Heav’n and Earth to shake.
For, &c.
The painted Heav’ns so full of state.
For, &c.
To rise above the watry plain.
For his, &c.
Did fill the new-made world with light.
For his, &c.
8. And caus’d the Golden-tressed Sun,
All the day long his cours to run.
For his, &c.
9. The horned Moon to shine by night,
Amongst her spangled sisters bright.
For his, &c.
10. He with his thunder-clasping hand,
mote the first-born of Egypt Land.
For his, &c.
11. And in despight of Pharao fell,
He brought from thence his Israel.
For, &c.
12. The ruddy waves he cleft in twain,
Of the Erythræan main.
For, &c.
13. The floods stood still like Walls of Glass,
While the Hebrew Bands did pass.
For, &c.
14. But full soon they did devour
The Tawny King with all his power.
For, &c.
15. His chosen people he did bless
In the wastfull Wildernes.
For, &c.
16. In bloody battail he brought down
Kings of prowess and renown.
For, &c.
17. He foild bold Sihon and his host,
That rul’d the Amorrean coast.
For, &c.
18. And large-lim’d Og he did subdue,
With all his over hardy crew.
For, &c.
19. And to his Servant Israel,
He gave their Land therin to dwell.
For, &c.
20. He hath with a piteous eye
Beheld us in our misery.
For, &c.
21. And freed us from the slavery
Of the invading enimy.
For, &c.
22. All living creatures he doth feed,
And with full hand supplies their need.
For, &c.
23. Let us therfore warble forth
His mighty Majesty and worth.
For, &c.
24. That his mansion hath on high
Above the reach of mortall ey.
For his mercies ay endure,
Ever faithfull, ever sure.
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