In the December chapter of Village Diary, Miss Read hears the school cleaner, Mrs Pringle, singing this hymn while she is cleaning.
Let Us With A Gladsome Mind was written in 1623 by John Milton (1608 - 1674), paraphrasing parts of Psalm 136:
1: O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for His mercy endureth forever.
2: O give thanks unto the God of gods:
7: To Him that made great lights:
8: The sun to rule by day:
9: The moon and stars to rule by night:
16: To Him which led His people through the wilderness:
23: Who remembered us in our low estate
25: Who giveth food to all flesh:
It is usually sung to the tune Monkland, which was written by John Antes (1740–1811) and adapted as the setting for the hymn by John Bernard Wilkes (1785 - 1869).
Let us with a gladsome mind
Praise the Lord for He is kind:
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
He, with all-commanding might,
Filled the new-made world with light:
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
All things living He doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need:
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
He His chosen race did bless
In the wasteful wilderness:
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
He hath, with a piteous eye,
Looked upon our misery:
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us blaze His Name abroad,
For of gods He is the God.
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
He the golden tressèd sun
Caused all day his course to run.
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Th’horned moon to shine by night;
’Mid her spangled sisters bright.
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us then with gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord for He is kind:
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us therefore warble forth
His high majesty and wroth;
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.