Hymn Story: All People That on Earth Do Dwell

All People That on Earth Do Dwell was written by William Kethe.

Kethe was born in Scotland and fled to the continent during Queen Mary’s persecution in the late 1550s. While living in Geneva he traveled to visit other English refugees. It is believed he was one of the translators of the Geneva Bible–which was favored by the Pilgrim fathers. He died in 1594 Dorset, England.

The tune is referred to as the Old Hundredth and composed by Louis Bourgeois. The song appeared in the 1551 Genevan Psalter.

Bourgeois often used the choristers to teach the new psalm tunes to the congregation.

Due to the title of the tune the song is often referred to as the Old Hundredth hymn.