You’ve heard it. Probably shouted it if you grew up in a certain kind of church. It’s that rhythmic, upbeat chant that usually starts a Sunday morning service. But honestly, the words to This is the Day the Lord Has Made are way older than that catchy chorus from the 70s. We’re talking thousands of years old. Most people just think of it as a "happy song" for kids, but when you actually dig into where those lines come from, it’s a bit more intense than a campfire singalong.
It’s actually a direct lift from the Hebrew Bible. Specifically, it’s Psalm 118:24.
Where the Words Actually Started
If you look at the source material, the vibe isn’t just "hey, it’s a sunny Tuesday." Psalm 118 is what scholars call a "Hallel" psalm. It’s part of a group of songs (Psalms 113–118) that were traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals like Passover. Imagine the scene: thousands of people crowded into Jerusalem, chanting these specific lines.
The original Hebrew says, Zeh-hayyom asah Adonai; nagilah v’nism’chah vo. Translation? "This is the day the Lord has acted; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Wait. "Acted."
That’s a big distinction. In the original context, the writer wasn't just talking about the sunrise. They were talking about a specific moment of deliverance or victory. It’s a bit like winning a massive legal battle or surviving a disaster and saying, "This is the day it finally happened." It’s gritty. It’s relief. It’s not just mindless optimism.
The Modern Chorus Everyone Knows
Fast forward to 1967. A guy named Les Garrett is in New Zealand. He’s a songwriter, and he writes the version that most of us have stuck in our heads. You know the one: "This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made..."
It’s repetitive. It’s simple. That’s why it stuck.
📖 Related: What Does a Stoner Mean? Why the Answer Is Changing in 2026
Garrett’s version took the words to This is the Day the Lord Has Made and turned them into a "round." This allowed different groups to sing over each other, creating this layered, communal energy. It blew up during the Charismatic Renewal movement in the 1970s. Suddenly, every youth group from Sydney to San Francisco was singing it. It became the ultimate "entry-level" worship song.
Why We Get the Meaning Wrong
Most of us treat these words like a spiritual "Good Morning" text.
But look at the verses right before it. Psalm 118:22 says, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." That’s a famous line. It’s cited in the New Testament about Jesus.
So, when the writer says "This is the day," they aren't talking about every single 24-hour period in history. They are talking about the day the "rejected stone" finally gets recognized. The day justice wins. The day the underdog comes out on top.
If you’re having a terrible day—your car broke down, you’re exhausted, and the bills are piling up—singing "this is the day" can feel like a lie. It feels fake. But if you view it through the lens of "The Lord has acted," it changes. It becomes a statement of hope that God is doing something even when things look like a mess.
It’s a choice. A deliberate, sometimes difficult choice to be glad.
The Psychology of the Phrase
There is actually some interesting cognitive science behind why repeating these specific words helps people. It’s basically "priming." By starting the morning with a specific set of words, you’re telling your brain what to look for.
👉 See also: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
If you tell yourself, "Today is going to be a disaster," your brain acts like a heat-seeking missile for problems. If you use the words to This is the Day the Lord Has Made, you’re essentially forcing a perspective shift. It’s ancient mindfulness.
Biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann often talks about how these psalms function as "counter-texts." They push back against the standard narrative of the world—which is usually that everything is falling apart—and insist on a different reality.
Different Versions You’ll Encounter
Depending on what church you walk into, the lyrics might change slightly.
- The Classic Scripture Song: This is the Les Garrett version. It follows the "This is the day (This is the day) / That the Lord has made (That the Lord has made)" call-and-response format.
- Hymnal Traditions: Some older hymnals integrate the verse into longer, more formal hymns like "Rejoice, the Lord is King."
- Contemporary Covers: Modern artists like Phil Wickham or even the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir have rearranged the melody, but the core scriptural words stay the same because you can’t really "edit" a Psalm.
One thing people forget is that the "rejoice" part isn't a suggestion. In the original grammar, it's an imperative. It’s a command. That’s sort of tough love, right? It’s basically saying: "I don't care if you feel like it; find something to be glad about."
How to Actually Use These Words Without Being Cheesy
We’ve all met that person who quotes this verse with a plastered-on smile while ignoring real problems. Don't be that person. Using these words effectively requires honesty.
It’s about "Both/And."
- Both: This day is incredibly difficult and I’m grieving.
- And: This is still a day the Lord has made, and there is a bigger story happening.
Real E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) in the spiritual life comes from acknowledging the tension. You don't have to ignore the pain to acknowledge the day.
✨ Don't miss: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Actionable Ways to Integrate the Verse
If you want to move beyond just humming the tune and actually let the words sink in, try these shifts:
Write it out differently.
Instead of the standard version, use a more literal translation in your journal: "The Lord has acted today. I will find my joy in that action."
The "Cornerstone" check.
When you feel rejected or overlooked, remember that the verse immediately following the "rejected stone" is "This is the day." It’s a reminder that your current status isn't your permanent identity.
Morning Liturgy.
Try saying the words before you check your phone. Seriously. Before the emails and the news alerts hit your brain, claim the day. It’s about who gets the first word in your head.
Listen to the variations.
Go find the Hebrew versions of Psalm 118 on YouTube. Hearing it chanted in the original language strips away the "Sunday School" feeling and brings back the ancient, rugged weight of the text.
The words to This is the Day the Lord Has Made aren't just a song for kids with hand motions. They are a battle cry. They are a refusal to let the chaos of the world dictate your internal state. Whether it's a "good" day by your standards or a total wreck, the theological claim is that it's a day owned by something bigger than your circumstances.
Start by picking one specific thing—no matter how small—that proves the day is "made" by more than just chance. Focus on that. Then, move into the rest of your hours with the understanding that the "rejected stone" is still the cornerstone, and the story isn't over yet.