Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#241

241. This is the Day

Text Information

• First Line: This is the day
• Title: This is the Day
• Paraphraser (st. 1): Les Garrett (1967)
• Meter: PM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 118:24
  ;
  Revelation 1:10
  ;
  Psalm 118
• Topic: Songs for Children: Hymns; Opening of Worship; Easter; Joy; Pentecost
• Source: Traditional (st. 2-3)
• Copyright: Text, st. 1, and music © 1967, 1980, Scripture in Song. Admin by Integrity Music. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

Tune Information

• Name: THIS IS THE DAY
• Composer: Les Garrett (1967)
• Meter: PM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Text, st. 1 and music © 1967, 1980, Scripture in song/Admin. by Maranatha! Music. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st.1 = Ps. 118:24
st.2 = Matt. 28:1-7
st.3 = Acts 2:1-4, Rev. 1:10

With its first stanza based on Psalms 118:24. “This Is the Day” celebrates God’s mighty acts of redemption (originally referring to the Passover before the Exodus), hailing “the day” as a special day of the Lord. Stanzas 2 and 3 refer to other special celebrations of God’s acts – Easter and Pentecost – leading to the implication of Sunday as a special day for worship. Other popular versions of this hymn use “I will rejoice,” even though the biblical text is clearly in the plural “we.”

Stanza 1, paraphrased by Leslie Norman Garret (b. Matamata, North Island, New Zealand, 1943), was first published in his collection Scripture in Song (vol. 1, 1967). Les Garret became a pastor after graduating from the Word of Faith Bible School. Currently he ministers at the Christian Family Center in Maddington (Perth), Australia. He is also a lecturer at Hebron Bible College and has traveled throughout the world speaking at conventions and churches. Garret promotes the singing of Scripture choruses in books such as Scripture in Song.

The anonymous second and third stanzas grew out of the oral tradition surrounding Scripture-chorus singing. In the continuing spirit of oral tradition, many groups have written other stanzas, such as

These are our friends,
that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice
and be glad with them.

Liturgical Use:
Praise occasions.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

THIS IS THE DAY is presumably a folk tune from Fiji, arranged by Les Garret for use with stanza 1. Antiphonal performance between two parts of the congregation works well. Rather than give verbal instructions, a song leader can direct simply by signaling to each group when they are to sing. For example, for stanza 1,

(group 1)
This is the day,
that the Lord has made,
we will rejoice,
and be glad in it

(group 2)
This is the day,
that the Lord has made,
we will rejoice,
and be glad in it

(both)
This is the day that the Lord has made,
we will rejoice and be glad in it;

(1)
this is the day,

(2)
this is the day

(both)
that the Lord has made.

When a song leader sings the first part as a solo, the congregation can follow from memory, without having open songbooks. Use a light organ registration or preferably folk instruments such as guitar and/or tambourine. The syncopations give the tune rhythmic interest and unity. Take care not to rush the tempo.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook