All People That On Earth Do Dwell

Today’s Friday Classic hymn is probably the oldest English hymn that is still sung today! And the story behind it involves a murderous queen known as Bloody Mary, Swiss Calvinists translating the Bible, and a Scottish Protestant writing metrical Psalms. Enjoy!

LYRICS:

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. 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

3. 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

4. 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