All People That on Earth Do Dwell (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 883)
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
Text: William Kethe; Music: Louis Bourgeois; Public Domain
Devotion
Psalm 33:13 tells us that God sees all humankind. This wonderful hymn invites, nay, commands, all people to join in singing to God with a cheerful voice. We sing praises because our hearts are filled with faith, hope, and joy. Yes, we fear him. We are also sure that God is good, loving, and merciful. We love God, and are loved by God.
One of God’s gifts to us is putting eternity into our hearts. Old church buildings and the pictures of saints from the past remind me that God works through the centuries. God works through generations of people. In worship in which several generations are gathered—grandparents, parents, children—the living saints are visible as tangible signs that God’s truth shall from age to age endure.
We know that we have received God’s grace because God’s people have told us so. We are likewise to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Most holy and loving God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit: Thank you for the faithful saints of ages past, who shared with others the good news of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. As I imagine generations of saints to come, I am assured of your goodness and look with longing for our Savior’s return in glory. Amen.