
What a Joyful Day is a Catholic hymn with the uplifting message that today is a joyful day. The hymn has been performed by artists such as The New Christy Minstrels, Lauryn Hill, and Ezeoke Celestine. The lyrics encourage rejoicing and praising the Lord, expressing happiness and gratitude for the day the Lord has made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Hymn | What a Joyful Day |
| Lyricist | Ezeoke Celestine |
| Lyrics | What a joyful day, the day of the Lord 'tis a joyful day Oh yes, we are glad. Rejoice in the Lord, the Children of the Lord A joyful day, we are happy and glad. Arise and praise him, who made earth and Heaven A Joyful day, we are happy and glad. Enter His presence and sing Him your praises A Joyful day, we are happy and glad. This Lord is so good, he's good to his people A Joyful day we are happy and glad. Uncountable praises we give to his people A joyful day we are happy and glad |
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What You'll Learn

Rejoicing in the Lord
The first verse encourages the Children of the Lord to rejoice and be glad, the second verse invites listeners to arise and praise the Lord who made the earth and Heaven, and the third verse instructs them to enter the Lord's presence and sing praises to Him. The fourth verse acknowledges the Lord's goodness to His people, and the fifth verse speaks of the uncountable praises we give to His people.
The hymn "Enter Rejoice" also has a similar theme of rejoicing in the Lord. The first line of each verse is "Enter rejoice and sing", followed by "Today will be a joyful day". The hymn invites listeners to open and lift up their hearts to the Lord and sing Alleluia.
Another hymn with a similar theme is "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" by Lauryn Hill. The lyrics include "Joyful, joyful, Lord we adore thee / God of glory, ... Fill us with the light of day". This hymn expresses joy and adoration for the Lord, asking Him to fill their hearts with joy and light.
These hymns all focus on rejoicing in the Lord, expressing joy and gratitude for His presence and goodness, and inviting others to join in this celebration. They encourage listeners to open their hearts, sing praises, and rejoice in the Lord, who is the source of their joy and gladness.
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Praising the Lord's creations
Praising the Lord and his creations is a central tenet of the Catholic faith, and hymns are a powerful way to express this joy and gratitude. "What a Joyful Day" is a perfect example of a hymn that captures the essence of this praise and adoration.
The hymn's lyrics, "What a joyful day, the day of the Lord/ 'Tis a joyful day, oh yes, we are glad," set the tone for a celebration of life and the glory of the Lord's creations. This joy is further emphasised in the verse, "Rejoice in the Lord, the Children of the Lord/ A joyful day, we are happy and glad." The repetition of "joyful day" throughout the hymn creates a sense of exuberance and happiness, reflecting on the blessings of the Lord.
Another verse that specifically acknowledges the Lord's creations is, "Arise and praise him, who made earth and Heaven/ A Joyful day, we are happy and glad." Here, the hymnist calls on us to praise the Lord for the beauty and wonder of the earth and the heavens above. It is a reminder to appreciate the natural world and to recognise the divine hand in its creation.
The hymn also encourages us to enter the Lord's presence and offer our praises: "Enter His presence and sing Him your praises/ A Joyful day, we are happy and glad." This verse speaks to the personal relationship we can have with the Lord and the joy that comes from expressing our gratitude and love for His creations.
Finally, the hymn acknowledges the Lord's goodness and the blessings He bestows upon His people: "This Lord is so good, he's good to his people/ A Joyful day we are happy and glad." This verse is a testament to the Lord's benevolence and the abundance of His creations, which bring joy and sustenance to all.
Through these powerful lyrics, "What a Joyful Day" captures the essence of praising the Lord and His creations. It serves as a reminder to find joy in the beauty of the world, to express gratitude for the Lord's goodness, and to celebrate the blessings of life.
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Entering the Lord's presence
"What a Joyful Day" is a Catholic hymn that invites worshippers to rejoice in the Lord and be glad on the day of the Lord. The hymn, also known as "Enter Rejoice," begins with an exhortation to enter into the Lord's presence with joy and singing.
The first verse of the hymn sets the tone for the entire song, with the opening line, "Enter rejoice and sing." This is an invitation for the congregation to step into the presence of the Lord with gladness and joy. The repetition of the phrase "rejoice and sing" emphasizes the importance of entering God's presence with a joyful attitude and a heart ready to worship.
The second line of the verse, "Today will be a joyful day," reminds us that the act of entering God's presence is not just a one-time occurrence but a daily experience. Each day, we are invited to come into the Lord's presence and experience the joy that comes from being in relationship with Him.
As the verse continues with the lines, "Enter rejoice and sing / Sing Alleluia," there is a clear call to worship. "Alleluia" is a word of praise and adoration, derived from the Hebrew "Hallelujah," meaning "praise the Lord." By singing "Alleluia," the congregation is actively offering praise to God and acknowledging His greatness.
The act of entering God's presence is not just a physical act but a spiritual one as well. The line "Open your heart to the Lord" encourages a posture of openness and surrender. It is a recognition that true worship involves more than just external actions; it requires a heart that is willing to receive and be transformed by God's presence.
The final line of the verse, "Lift up your heart to the Lord," reinforces this idea of spiritual alignment. By lifting up our hearts, we are directing our thoughts, emotions, and desires toward God. It is a conscious decision to focus our entire being on Him, allowing His presence to fill and overwhelm us.
As the hymn continues, the subsequent verses further develop the theme of entering the Lord's presence with joy and gratitude. The repetition of the phrase "Today will be a joyful day" throughout the hymn emphasizes the consistent nature of God's goodness and the joy that comes from abiding in His presence.
Through this hymn, worshippers are encouraged to approach God with joy, gratitude, and a heart of worship. It serves as a reminder that each day is an opportunity to enter into God's presence and experience the joy that comes from a relationship with Him.
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The Lord's goodness
"What a Joyful Day" is a Catholic hymn that praises God and expresses happiness and joy in the Lord. The hymn's lyrics, "What a joyful day, the day of the Lord", set the tone for a celebration of God's goodness and grace. This uplifting hymn, also known as "A Joyful Day" by Ezeoke Celestine, invites worshippers to rejoice, give praise, and recognise the Lord's goodness.
The first verse begins with an exhortation to rejoice in the Lord, addressing the congregation as the Children of the Lord. It emphasises the joy and happiness of the day, a theme that continues throughout the hymn. The second verse invites worshippers to arise and offer praise to the Creator of the earth and Heaven. This verse acknowledges God's role as the divine maker of all things, worthy of praise and adoration.
The third verse encourages the congregation to enter God's presence and sing praises to Him. It highlights the importance of actively engaging in worship and expressing gratitude and joy directly to the Lord. The fourth verse recognises the Lord's goodness, proclaiming that "This Lord is so good, he's good to his people". This verse focuses on God's benevolence and kindness towards His followers, emphasising His grace and compassion.
The hymn's chorus, "What a joyful day, we are happy and glad", is a refrain that unites the congregation in a shared expression of happiness and gratitude. The repetition of these words reinforces the overarching theme of joy and celebration. The fifth verse, "Uncountable praises we give to His people", extends the outpouring of gratitude and acknowledges the abundant blessings received from God. This verse also highlights the community aspect of the hymn, as the worshippers collectively offer their praises and thanks to the Lord.
"What a Joyful Day" is a vibrant and uplifting hymn that encourages worshippers to rejoice, give praise, and recognise God's goodness. Through its joyful lyrics and uplifting message, it creates an atmosphere of celebration and gratitude, reminding believers of God's love and grace.
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Uncountable praises
"What a Joyful Day, the Day of the Lord" is a Catholic hymn that expresses joy and gladness in the Lord. The hymn begins with an exclamation of the joyful day, followed by an invitation to rejoice and give praise to the Lord. This is a day to celebrate and be happy in the presence of the Lord, who is good to his people.
The hymn "What a Joyful Day" has several verses, with each verse ending with the refrain "we are happy and glad." In the first verse, we are encouraged to rejoice in the Lord and recognize the joy of being his children. The second verse invites us to arise and praise the Lord, the creator of earth and heaven.
The third verse of "What a Joyful Day" encourages us to enter the presence of the Lord and sing his praises. We are reminded of his goodness and how he has blessed his people. The fourth verse continues the theme of praise and gratitude, acknowledging the Lord's goodness and his love for us.
The fifth verse, "Uncountable Praises," is a pinnacle of the hymn. In this verse, we offer an outpouring of gratitude and adoration to the Lord. We give thanks for his blessings, his love, and his presence in our lives. We sing of his glory and majesty, and our hearts overflow with joy and gratitude. The "Uncountable Praises" verse is a powerful expression of our faith and love for the Lord, and it captures the essence of the hymn's message of joy and thanksgiving.
Through this hymn, Catholics express their uncontainable joy and gratitude for the Lord and his blessings. "What a Joyful Day" is a testament to the power of faith and the beauty of worship, and it continues to inspire and uplift believers with its message of joy and praise.
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Frequently asked questions
The hymn 'What a Joyful Day' is about happiness and gladness, praising God and celebrating the day of the Lord.
Some of the lyrics include: "What a joyful day, we are happy and glad" and "What a joyful day, the day of the Lord".
Yes, it is a popular hymn used in Christian communities during worship, especially among Catholics as an Entrance Hymn for the Mass and other liturgical celebrations.
The tone of the hymn is joyful and celebratory.
The main message of the hymn is to praise and thank God for a joyful day, and to encourage people to arise and enter God's temple to sing praises.







































