This Day Is a Good Day, Lord

The psalmist wrote, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). This scriptural passage inspired author and composer J. Frederic Voros Jr. to write the hymn “This Day Is a Good Day, Lord.”

As a boy, Brother Voros often heard his mother at the piano playing the hymns she had loved as a child in the 1920s. But it was not until later in life, well into his career as an attorney and a judge, that he began writing hymns. This was one of his first. Inspired by the psalm, he wrote a text of joy and thanksgiving. And although he had never written a musical setting for a hymn, he realized that a melody had been hovering over him as he wrote the text. When he sat down at the piano, this beautiful tune spilled out.

“This Day Is a Good Day, Lord” invites us to ponder the wonders of God’s world, to turn our minds to the things of eternity, and to practice peace in our lives.

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for This Day Is a Good Day, Lord

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Scriptures

Principles

All of creation testifies that God lives.
The scriptures can turn our minds to God and help us feel gratitude for His divine blessings.
Those who strive to be peacemakers are following the example of Jesus Christ.

Questions to Ponder

What are some ways that God’s creations help you feel His love?
Why is it important to recognize the hand of the Lord working in your life?
What can you do to make peace with those around you?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Teach about choosing peace. Read the line “To fashion plowshares from our swords.” Show a toy sword or a picture of one. Then show a plow or gardening tool, and talk about how it helps plants grow. Explain that this line reminds us to choose peace instead of conflict. Ask your children how they can choose peace at home or at school. Then invite them to pretend to mold an invisible sword into a plow while listening to or singing the third verse. Talk about how choosing peace helps us make any day “a good day.”
Make a collage. Gather pictures of places and things your family loves. As you listen to the hymn, invite your children to create a collage of what makes a day feel good or full of God’s love—like family, friendship, acts of kindness, the outdoors, and so on. Afterward, invite family members to share their collages and explain what they included. As you close, sing the first verse together and point out how those good things are given to us by God.
Begin each day reflecting on the opening words. For one week, start each day—perhaps during breakfast or before family prayer—by singing the opening line of the hymn: “This day is a good day, Lord.” Talk about how starting the day with a thankful heart and positive attitude can help us feel more cheerful, kind, and open to the Spirit. Invite each family member to share one thing that could make this a “good day.” You may consider turning this into a lasting habit—welcoming each new day with music, gratitude, and a focus on the Lord.

Music Helps

Notice that the phrase “This day is a good day, Lord” is sung with the same melody at the beginning and end of each verse, but with different harmonies. Try singing or listening for a non-soprano part along with the melody. How does the changing harmony affect the overall feeling?