Sometimes a hymn or song can express a nation's experience.  This is true of the Thanksgiving hymn, "We Gather Together."

This hymn came to us from the Netherlands.  It was written at the end of  the 17th century to give thanks for the prosperity the Dutch had experienced that century.  Having won freedom from Spanish overlords, they experienced expansion of both commerce and art.  Thus the line, "The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing."

We use it today for our own nation, and share in its prayer:

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, was at our side--all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

and pray that Thou still our defender wilt be;

let Thy congregation escape tribulation:

Thy Name be ever praised!  O Lord, make us free!