Old Hundredth

Back when I was first going to a denominational church I learned a song titled, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.   It was sung to a tune called Old Hundredth.  Since that time I have sung several other hymns to that tune and always wondered where the tune title came from.

Last night, while reading a commentary on Psalm 100, I learned the origin of this tune!  (Okay, I’m sure there are those out there who are saying, “DUH!”)  It seems a paraphrase of Ps.100 was put to this tune in the Geneva Psalter back in 1551, hence the tune’s name. 

Psalm 100 is a great Psalm.  Here it is in the KJV text:

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. 

Now here is the paraphrase from the Scottish Psalter set to the tune in the 1551 Psalter:

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.

Know that the Lord is God indeed;

WIthout our aid He did us make;

We are His flock, He doth us feed,

And for His sheep, He doth us take.

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.

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.

Oh, and the tune goes great on the bagpipes!