I’m pretty pumped and humbled to have won the Church of the Servant 2010 New Psalm Contest.  I know several of my friends, who I honestly consider superior songwriters and true mentors in the art, entered the contest, as well.  The song that won was “All People That On Earth Do Dwell,” a versified version of Psalm 100, set by William Kethe in 1561.  It’s a mainstay in the Reformed tradition and has a prominent place in it because of its Genevan roots (the original tune [“Old Hundredth”] is typically the one many churches sing the Doxology to).  Late one night, I asked some of my band members to stick around after a rehearsal to record some BGVs and whistles for a crude demo of this song.  It ended up being a fun little project!  Lord-willing, “All People” will appear on our sophomore album, Without Our Aid in September 2011, in a much heavier, rocked-out version.

Greg Scheer (overseer of the contest) and I will be working on some arrangement tweaks to the song, which is why I’m not putting up the sheet music at this point.  He’s a seasoned songwriter himself, and I can’t wait for his valuable input on how to make this song better.  But in the meantime, enjoy the text and our little in-house mp3.

Download the FREE mp3.

All People That On Earth Do Dwell (Psalm 100)

All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with joy, His praise forth tell,
Come ye before Him and rejoice

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.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship Him with gladness,
Come before Him with joyful songs.
Praise the Lord, all the earth!
Enter with thanksgiving,
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

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 forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

For the Lord is good and His love endureth forever.
And His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Words: William Kethe, 1561; Zac Hicks, 2009 (add’l lyrics)
Music: Zac Hicks, 2009
©2009 Unbudding Fig Music (ASCAP)