|
Psalm 100: Thanksgiving to God
JUBILATE DOMINO (PSALM 100) iubilate Domino omnis terra servite Domino in laetitia introite in conspectu eius in exultatione scitote quoniam Dominus ipse est Deus ipse fecit nos et non ipsi nos populus eius et oves pascuae eius introite portas eius in confessione atria eius in hymnis confitemini illi laudate nomen eius quoniam suavis Dominus in aeternum misericordia eius et usque in generationem et generationem veritas eius -- Psalm 100, VULGATE (405 A.D.), translated into Latin by Jerome (c.347-420). [For some reason, one often finds these texts without punctuation or many capital letters--sort of odd to the modern eye. In an effort to "get it right," Jerome had insisted on doing his translation of the Old Testament from the Hebrew manuscripts rather than be limited by the Greek SEPTUIGENT.] PSALM 100 (ISAAC WATTS) A plain translation. Praise to our Creator. [You may sing this to DUKE STREET, "Jesus Shall Reign".] Ye nations round the earth, rejoice Before the Lord, your sovereign King; Serve him with cheerful heart and voice, With all your tongues his glory sing. The Lord is God; 'tis he alone Doth life, and breath, and being give; We are his work, and not our own, The sheep that on his pastures live. Enter his gates with songs of joy, With praises to his courts repair; And make it your divine employ To pay your thanks and honors there. The Lord is good, the Lord is kind, Great is his grace, his mercy sure; And the whole race of man shall find His truth from age to age endure. -- Isaac Watts (1674-1748), THE PSALMS OF DAVID, 1719. [I have an 1808 copy of this volume, an old leather hymnal that is obviously well used. What a joy to imagine believers 200 years ago, holding this book and singing the praises of our great God. Of course, this "new setting" was considered an uncertain worship innovation to the real traditionalists.] PSALM 100 (THE MESSAGE) On your feet now--applaud Yahweh! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourself into his presence. Know this: Yahweh is God, and God Yahweh. He mad us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourself at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For Yahweh is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever. -- Psalm 100, Eugene Peterson’s THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH, Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002. www.messagebible.com Happy Thanksgiving! Don’t forget the password! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw |