Psalms 100

Psalm 100 is a universal call to worship, urging all lands to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. It commands serving God with gladness and entering His presence with singing, recognizing Him as the Creator who made us His people. The psalm concludes by praising the Lord for His goodness, everlasting mercy, and truth that endures to all generations.

This Psalm of praise begins with an exhortation for all lands to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, emphasizing universal worship. It instructs believers to serve the Lord with gladness and to come before His presence with singing, highlighting joy and musical expression in devotion. The psalm then establishes a foundational truth: to know that the Lord is God, the sole Creator who made humanity, and that we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Worshippers are commanded to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, expressing gratitude and blessing His name. The concluding verse provides the enduring reasons for this worship, affirming that the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100, designated a "Psalm of praise," opens with a universal summons, urging "all ye lands" to make a joyful noise unto the LORD, thereby setting a tone of widespread and exuberant adoration. It specifies the manner of worship, instructing individuals to "Serve the LORD with gladness" and to "come before his presence with singing," underscoring the importance of joy and musical expression in devotion. A core theological truth is then presented: "Know ye that the LORD he is God," immediately followed by the affirmation of His role as Creator, stating, "it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves." This highlights divine sovereignty and humanity's complete dependence. Furthermore, the psalm defines the relationship between God and humanity, declaring, "we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture," portraying God as a benevolent shepherd and humanity as His cherished flock. The practical application of this understanding is outlined in the subsequent verse, which directs worshippers to "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise," suggesting an approach to God's dwelling place with a heart full of gratitude. The command is reiterated: "be thankful unto him, and bless his name." The psalm concludes by articulating the immutable attributes of God that warrant such praise. It states, "For the LORD is good," establishing His inherent benevolent nature. His "mercy is everlasting," assuring believers of His enduring compassion. Finally, His "truth endureth to all generations," affirming the eternal reliability and faithfulness of His word and character. Thus, the psalm serves as a concise yet powerful liturgy of praise, grounded in the recognition of God's creative power, His covenant relationship with humanity, and His unchanging goodness, mercy, and truth.