ESV Psalm 100:1 A PSALM FOR GIVING THANKS.
Make a joyful noise
to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his
presence with singing! 3 Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us,
and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his
gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless
his name! 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his
faithfulness to all generations.
Thoughts
The superscription
states that this psalm (or song) is “for giving thanks.” It was used in the
temple with the sacrifices of praise. The expressions in this psalm reflect the
preceding enthronement psalms (Ps. 47; 93; 95-99) that celebrate the Lord’s
rule.
The psalmist
exhorted the congregation to serve the Lord with gladness because He is the
Creator, and to enter His temple with much thanksgiving because He is good and
faithful.
God is our Creator;
we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creator
and center of their own little world. This mind-set leads to a greedy
possessiveness and, if everything should be taken away, a loss of hope itself.
But when we realize that God created us and gives us all we have, we will want
to give to others as God gave to us (2 Cor. 9:8). Then, if all is lost, we
still have God and all he gives us.
God is in a
relationship with human beings. That is, God is not seen simply as a distant
power. He is not an awesome “other.” He is not a watchmaker God, who set the
universe in motion and then withdrew, having lost interest in the processes of
life which He began. God is a Person who is revealed most clearly in His loving
approach to humankind. God is known best as He is seen drawing near to you and
me, eager to forgive, filled with parental compassion, continuing always to
love those who have turned to rely on Him.
Questions for Reflection
- When do you feel like shouting for joy or singing?
- When (in what situations or for what acts) do you expect a thank you or acknowledgment of a favor you’ve done?
- Why should the world acknowledge the Lord through praise? (100:3-5)
- Where should believers offer their praise to God? (100:4)
- How should a person enter God’s house? (100:4)
- How does God demonstrate His goodness to the world? (100:5)
- What message comes through most clearly to you in this psalm?
- What does this psalm advise us to do?
- What should motivate us to worship God?
- What is sincere worship?
- What attitude should we have toward worshiping God?
- What changes do you feel you could make to improve your attitude toward worship and praising God?
