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
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