The 14th canticle from the Lutheran Book of Worship poetically summarizes Jeremiah 31:6-14:
Listen! you nations of the world:listen to the Word of the Lord.Announce it from coast to coast;declare it to distant islands.
The Lord who scattered Israel willgather his people again;and he will keep watch over them as ashepherd watches his flock.
With shouts of joy they will come,their faces radiantly happy,for the Lord is so gen 'rous to them;He showers his people with gifts.
Young women will dance for joy,and men young and old will make merry.Like a garden refreshed by the rain,they will never be in want again.
Break into shouts of great joy:Jacob is free again!Teach nations to sing the song:"The Lord has saved his people!"
The historical context of this Scriptural emphasis on "shouts of great joy" r…