LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

When the choir strikes up Jude Nwankwo’s "Let Us Go to the House of the Lord," the atmosphere in the church immediately shifts to one of bright, eager anticipation. Drawing its text directly from Psalm 122, this piece captures the gladness of a pilgrim people gathering for worship. It is a perfect fit for the Entrance procession, setting a tone of communal joy as the congregation and ministers make their way toward the altar.

The arrangement is straightforward but highly effective, built on a lively, marching rhythm that naturally encourages the faithful to lift their voices. In the refrain, all four parts unite in a bold call to give thanks and praise. The verses then offer a beautiful contrast. The first verse reflects the awe of standing within the gates of Jerusalem, while the second verse bursts into an infectious, overlapping declaration of the joy found in God's presence.

For a choir director, this is the kind of opening hymn that wakes up the morning Mass. The staggered entries in the second verse, where the lower voices introduce the melody before the sopranos soar in with their bright "Joy! Joy!", add a wonderful layer of energy. It reminds everyone in the pews exactly why we gather each Sunday: to find gladness and community in the house of God.