All People That on Earth Do Dwell, ELW 883
Devotion
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.
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.
Oh, enter then his gates with praise;
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
For why? 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.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
the God whom heav'n and earth adore,
from us and from the angel host
be praise and glory evermore.
Ye, doth, laud, and Holy Ghost. Though they sound dated to our ears, these are all words that connected with English-speaking people when the lyrics of this 1593 hymn were translated. Despite the old fashioned language and gender descriptors which are no longer used in our everyday faith language, the content of this hymn is still an important one of praise and a confession of faith. United in Christ, the whole church on earth, in its diversity, is nudged by the Holy Spirit to orient each day toward Almighty God.
"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." God's love is for all people worldwide and that love is to be lived out with others. Our voices join in the timeless joy-filled song of praise to our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. What song is your spirit singing today?
Prayer
O God, three in one, one in three, hear our songs of deep gratitude, worship and praise. Guide us this day as we love and serve the world in Jesus’ name. Amen.