A LOOK AT PSALM 100

In this post we are going to take a look at Psalm 100.  I am old enough to remember learning this psalm in elementary school.  How sad to think that such would not be allowed today.

Psalm 100:1-2 “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”

The Hebrew for joyful noise states “to split the ear with sound, shout.”  I love music, and I love to sing and play the piano.  I think it is wonderful that David, the musician, is encouraging everyone everywhere to praise the LORD boldly whether or not they can carry a tune or play an instrument perfectly.  I think, just as regarding our perception of beauty, the LORD has a much different perspective.  He looks for beauty that is of the heart, and He appreciates music that is from the heart.  The expression of praise is music to God’s ears when it springs forth from a heart of love and gratitude.

It is significant to note that this psalm is addressed to “all ye lands”—not just the nation of Israel.

Some translations use the word worship instead of serve, which is correct from the Hebrew; but it also means “to work, to labor.”  It’s easy to associate gladness (joy, glee, pleasure) with worship, but we are also to be joyful as we do the work of the Lord.  The Hebrew for singing included the idea of triumph or success.  This made me think of Joshua 1:8:

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

That led me back to defining working for the LORD.  It is obeying God according to His will as revealed in the word of God.

Psalm 100:3 “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

The word God is “elohim” (plural in the Hebrew), a reference to the Trinity—Father, Son and Spirit.  The psalmist identifies God as our Creator, “He that made us.”  This truth is stated simply and forthrightly as a fact—not open for debate. God created us for His pleasure, for special relationship to Him.  If we acknowledge Him in faith and serve Him, we are “His” people and the sheep of His pasture.  He wants to take care of us as tenderly as the Shepherd cares for His sheep.  He wants us to recognize how weak and helpless we are without Him.  He wants to feed us with spiritual food to help us grow and become strong in the Spirit.

Psalm” 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

Note that we are called to “enter” His gates and His courts.  We know from the words of Jesus recorded by John that there is only one way to access His presence—and that is by grace through faith in Him. 

John 10:7&9 “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”           

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”   

Only those who acknowledge God as Lord and Savior would be willing to come into His presence with praise and thanksgiving.  To “bless His name” is to adore and honor Him.

Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Even as the psalmist invites the world to join him, he sets the example by closing this psalm in praise and thanksgiving to his LORD.

“the LORD is good” – He is the only One that is truly good.

Matthew 19:17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Mark 10:18 “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”

Luke 18:19 “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.”

His mercy (kindness, pity) is everlasting (without end).

Lamentations 3:22–23 “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

His truth is also everlasting; it will never change.  Jesus is the embodiment of truth (as stated in John 14:6 above), and He will never change.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”