All People That On Earth Do Dwell

There was a hymn that came to mind today that I wanted to share with you. The rhyming is a little awkward, but the words are good. So often we are asking God for something. This hymn is stating who God is and what we owe. The first verse goes like this: “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.” It is a call for us to come before God in worship. Not just some, but the whole earth should be lifting its voice to God. It is not a chore to come... we serve Him joyfully with praises on our hearts. The next verse say, “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.” Why should we serve Him and lift our voice in praise? Clearly because the Lord is God. Not a god. Not like god. Not one of many gods. The Lord we serve is God. He didn’t need us when the world was created. He made everything that exists today. Not only did He make us, but He has provided food for eating. It may take work, but God gives plants, animals, and the ability to produce more of each kind. The greatest of all that God has done is making us His sheep, belonging to Him and following Him. The third verse says, “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.” The author is leading us not just to acknowledge God, but to enter His gates... His temple... heaven itself with prayer and praise. Whether we are living daily in the world... whether we enter His house to lift our hearts in worship... whether we enter Heaven through prayer and praise, it is not something we need acknowledgment for, but rather our duty and privilege. Next we hear, “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.” So the question comes up, “Why should we do all this? Simple. The Lord is God and God is good. As much as we are undeserving, He is all the more merciful. God has never wavered on His word or promise from the beginning. So we close, “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.