Rejoice! Again, Rejoice!

What: I wrote this yesterday evening while at once bored with life and excited about the day's Scripture readings. The first stanza is a paraphrase of the Epistle reading, the next of the Old Testament reading, the third and fourth of the Gospel reading, and the fifth verse is sort of a wrap-up, highlighting the underlying theme of the readings; it is based in part on today's sermon at my vicarage congregation.
Note: I know this is your standard, lame-paraphrase hymn. Still, I think this is a good exercise for me. As always, suggestions appreciated.
Tune: The meter is SM and I wrote this with FESTAL SONG in mind, only to realize this tune is only found in LW 195, although the ELW (the ELCA's new hymnal) has it too, ELW 314.

Rejoice! Again, rejoice!

Let gentleness be known.

In bids and prayers lift up your voice

To greet the coming Son.

Sing, Zion; Israel, shout!

Rejoice, lift up your heart:

The Lord has cleared your rivals out;

From you He will not part.

The followers of John

Besought the Lord for him,

"Are You the One who is to come,

Or shall we look again?"

Christ answered them, "Tell John

What you have seen and heard:

Blind see, lame walk, the dead live on,

Poor hear the Gospel Word."

Rejoice! Again, rejoice!

Though doubt may fill your heart,

Still cling to Jesus' living Voice:

From you He will not part.

MDS, 2012