All People That On Earth Do Dwell

All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice.

O enter then His gates with joy;
Into His courts His praise proclaim;
Let thankful songs your tongues employ,
O Bless and magnify His name.

Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His folk, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.

Because the Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

For those that might not be familiar with this particular hymn, I have included a link to a version by the Martins – two sisters and a brother who have some of the tightest harmonies you will ever hear.  They have combined this hymn with the Doxology and is definitely worth listening to.

The words of this song are old (circa 1500’s), but the message is as pertinent to us today as it was 500 years ago.  The theme of the hymn is praise and thanksgiving.  The author is reminding, or commanding, us all to sing, praise, serve, bless and give thanks.  This is something we all tend to do this time of year, but something that should be a part of our daily lifestyle. 

Several phrases worth highlighting:

• Serve with mirth – To be honest, I had no idea who Mirth was when I read this hymn.  My first thought was “Is Mirth the male-equivalent of the name Myrtle?”  Just kidding.  The word “mirth” means “joyfully” or “with laughter.”  I was kind of hoping the definition would mean “reluctantly” or “grudgingly”  to make myself feel better about how I serve the Lord sometimes.  However, the author makes a great statement here.  Service to the Lord should be done with a grateful heart and with a joyful attitude because of the great things He has done for us.  Our circumstances do not impact the great salvation we have experienced, and we should try not to let those circumstances impact our attitude.

• Without our aid – Do you try to help God?  Sounds foolish, doesn’t it?  But I have been guilty of trying to suggest to God how things should work out in a particular situation.  I fully admit that this is a tremendously arrogant attitude.  This phrase in verse 2 reminds us that God doesn’t need our help.  He is self-sufficient.  He created this world and everything in it without any assistance from mankind.  Being reminded of that helps me to get my mind right when praying about matters in my life.  I need to be reminded that God can handle it.

• We are His folk – Interesting thing to note about this phrase.  I have seen a couple of different words in the hymnals that have this particular song.  Some say “folk” and some say “flock.”  You can see by the phrases that follow how “flock” is extremely appropriate and how it fits.  However, the phrase “we are His folk” was special to me.  It reminds me that I am not a distance relative of God – a 2nd cousin twice removed that I haven’t seen in 10 years.  No, we are all part of His family.  Sons and Daughters.  Chosen by Him and adopted into His family.  Grafted into the vine.  There’s an old chorus that reinforces this concept.  The chorus goes  “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.  I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood.  Joint Heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod.  I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.”  Aren’t you glad you are part of His family – His folk?

• Let thankful songs your tongues employ – The dictionary defines the word “employ” in a couple of different ways.  “To keep busy or at work” or “to make use of” and finally “to occupy or devote.”  How all of those definitions seem to apply when we consider using our mouths as instruments of thanksgiving!  For most of us, maintaining a thankful heart and using thankful words is work.  We tend to complain rather than be thankful in spite of the “head” knowledge of all the things that we have to be thankful for.  Keeping your mind and your words full of thankfulness is not just work, it is hard work.  However, when we take the time to be thankful (when we are devoted to it and it occupies our thoughts), and we “count our blessings” on a regular basis, we remind ourselves of how good God has been, is being, and will be to us. 

“WHY?!?!?!”  I can’t tell you how many times my kids have asked me that question (especially after I have told them that they can’t do something).   Sometimes I spend the time explaining to them why.  Other times I use the parental prerogative and say “Because.”  Throughout this hymn, the author is asking/commanding us to do certain things.  When we are instructed to do these things, our “childish” response might be “WHY?!”  Maybe we don’t feel like doing those things.  Maybe we aren’t having a good day.  Maybe the circumstances of life aren’t good right now.  Several places in the hymn the author gives us the reason “why,” but I think my favorite is in the last verse because it is so true and so simple.  Because God is good.  His Goodness is seen in His acts of mercy.   His Goodness is seen in His longsuffering.  His Goodness is seen in all the many gifts and blessing He gives on a daily basis.

So I encourage you to take the time this year to be truly thankful.  Let this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday remind you of all the good things God has done for you.  But more importantly, let thankfulness be part of your daily walk.  When you get up in the morning, and when you lay your head down to sleep.  A brand new day and a good night’s sleep are definitely something to be thankful for.