Comment on a Hymn

'All People That on Earth Do Dwell'

This is Psalm 100 put to music. And it's another familiar hymn. But the problem with familiar hymns is that we sometimes don't pay as close attention to them as we might.

So, for one thing, did you notice that this is an evangelistic hymn (based on an evangelistic Psalm). Who is it that is being called? 'All people that on earth do dwell'. It's a call to all the unbelieving nations to come to the true God.

And note the goal of this evangelistic appeal: worship. And that, of course, is the first and most important goal of evangelism: that all people everywhere would worship the God who has made them and provided them with life. And the hymn/Psalm even gives reasons why these people should come.

All people that on earth do dwell,

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.

Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell;

Come ye before Him and rejoice.

The Lord, ye know, 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.

O 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 for ever sure;

His truth at all times firmly stood,

And shall from age to age endure.