Need Inspiration? Read Psalm 100

In a nutshell, Psalm 100 is a beloved psalm of thanksgiving and praise. Christians often reference this particular Psalm during Sunday morning worship services. Did you also know that our Jewish friends have a long tradition of reciting Psalm 100 daily?

Many theories pertain to the precise purpose of this psalm, one that has an unnamed author. Some believe the Psalm was penned to acknowledge God's grace and provision. Some believe the Psalm was written to acknowledge how the one true God protected and elevated David to become king of Israel. Others believe the Psalm commemorates the building of the second temple. However, most believe the Psalm presents a general admonition to be thankful for the blessings we receive in life.

The 100th Psalm can be divided into two sections:
1) the call to praise God;  and
2) instructions on giving glory to God.
The Psalmist presents seven admonitions to help believers worship and serve the Lord with gladness. The Bible in general–but especially in the Psalms, and moreover in Psalm 100–notes that all the people of the earth should worship the God of heaven, for the Lord he is God. The Bible further notes that serving the Lord with gladness is the key to a happy life and leads to reward in heaven.

What is the Purpose of Psalm 100?

Essentially, Psalm 100 reminds the hearer that the Lord, He is God, He is the almighty God having no equal and no predecessor. He is the first and last, the alpha and the omega (the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet; the equivalent in English would be from “a to z”), and it is our joy and duty to enter his presence with joy and singing, thankful for what He has done and what He is going to do.

Interestingly, the Psalm also has Messianic overtones. It lays a foundation to link “my shepherd” of Psalm 23 with the “Chief Shepherd” Lord Jesus Christ of 1 Peter 5:4; and God the Creator in Genesis 1 with the Messiah-Creator in John 1 and Colossians 1.

Echoing Psalm 23, the sheep and green pastures referenced in verse 5 remind the reader that in mercy, the good shepherd lays loving-kindness before us, for we are his name’s sake. We are therefore encouraged to praise the Lord with gladness, for his faithfulness endures forever.

How Can Psalm 100 Guide Us in Joyful Worship of Jesus Christ?

There’s seven commands present in Psalm 100 regarding entering holy places and sacred times of worship. The Psalm tells us how to approach God, pray, come into his presence, and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, find joy, life, and mercy.

Pastor Phillip Sasser of Cornerstone Fellowship Church likens the guiding principles in Psalm 100 to a set of Russian nesting dolls (google them if these are new to you; essentially, they’re numerous tiny dolls inside bigger dolls). Pastor Sassser writes that, “the largest doll encompasses the testimony of the whole world. The other dolls inside indicate corporate worship aspects and how best to praise the living God.”

Do you know how to be thankful to God? Psalm 100 affirms that being thankful to God requires singing to God. It’s crazy to realize that the Bible actually includes more references to singing than to prayer—both are important, but singing to the Lord of all the earth is not always viewed as an important act of worship. It is. God invites His people to sing, to sing joyfully, and even to make a joyful noise of praise. Singing expressions of thanksgiving honors and is pleasing to the Lord.

What Does it Mean to Make a Joyful Noise?

The phrase to make a “joyful noise” in Psalm 100 is an interesting one, considering that in ancient times, the thought of approaching God in holy places was wrapped in feelings of fear, awe, and dread. In the Temple period of the Old Testament, only the chief shepherd of the people—the high priest–could enter the holy place (the Holy of Holies) once a year and come into the presence of the Lord. And even then, a rope was tied to one leg in case his soul was overwhelmed due to his sin by the Lord's power and glory. Given this reality, one would think that worshipping God should be accompanied by a high degree of solemnity and decorum.

However, Scripture clarifies that God desires sincerity and authenticity more than our sophistication and perfect articulation. To glorify God begins by entering his courts with praise. It does not require rank or training—only faith and thanksgiving. God delights in childlike innocence, and thus, the Psalm speaks of making a joyful noise—simple, wonderful expressions from the heart that acknowledge His steadfast love for us, and affirms our steadfast love for Him.

How Does Psalm 100 Reveal Jesus Christ?

Psalm 100 centers on the Hebrew word thanks (towdah / yadah). The Psalmist notes the why is because of what God has done and what God will do—send His Son Jesus to redeem humanity. As noted above earlier, Psalm 100 is a Messianic psalm, laying a foundation for the great New Testament truth that it is through the Messiah that people are able to come into His presence. Through Christ, we are justified, redeemed, and restored to a right relationship with God (Romans 5). In poetic terms, the Psalm states: “his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

According to John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, God demonstrated his enduring love and faithfulness through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is Lord, the “good shepherd,” the ”author of life,” the “truth,” our glory, and more. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, God affirms his steadfast love for humanity. Accordingly, the Psalmist invites and urges the whole world to praise God and affirms the following:

• In Jesus, we find our song and reason to shout for joy 
• In Jesus, we find our joy and gladness (John 10:10)
• Before Jesus, every knee shall bow (Phil. 2:10)
• Jesus is the creator and source of life (Col. 1:16)
• Jesus is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)       
• Jesus is the expression of God’s love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:4)

Why Should We Praise God?

Believers should praise God, worship God, glorify God, and serve the Lord because He and He alone is worthy of our praise. His power is undisputed; His truth endures forever; He is the almighty God.

What follows are six reasons we should praise God:

1. Praise is Commanded by God.

Countless times in the Psalms, never mind Psalm 100 by itself, instructs us to praise the Lord. It is not optional, but a command for our own benefit. Recall Luke 19, when Jesus enters into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people praise him by shouting and singing. The Pharisees demand Jesus to tell these worshippers of him to stop praising him. His response is unexpectedly striking: “I tell you, if they keep quiet, these stones will cry out.” It’s not just us humans in the imago dei instructed to praise God, but all creation.

2. Praise Lifts Your Spirits

Positive, spiritual thoughts can overcome negative thinking. Praise helps us to look up and defends against allowing our minds and hearts to be pulled down. Satan loves to keep us in the "pit" of despair (Psalm 40). It is God who lifts the weary, replaces despair with joy, and helps us overwhelm our fears with faith. Praise and pessimism cannot occupy the mind at the same time. Therefore, the Lord directs His followers to think on that which is good, pure, and lovely (Philippians 4). The Lord desires that we experience the fullness of life and joy and therefore calls His people to worship with gladness, making a joyful noise.

3. Helps You Sense God's Presence

Through praise, we enter into God’s presence. The 100th Psalm tells the reader that the lowly are invited, like the high priests of old, to enter the holy places, His holy courts, to worship and glorify God. In God's presence, one finds peace and joy, for we are worshipping the one who is Peace and Joy.

4. Enlarges Your Perception of God

Like the prophet Isaiah, after seeing God in His throne room being worshipped by angels, became more acutely aware of his sinfulness (Isaiah 6), we can be overwhelmed by when we approach almighty God in worship. As we grow in the Lord, we grow in understanding His righteousness and loving-kindness. Our perception of God is not just refined and shaped by worship, but also via the portals of prayer and Bible study. Yet we are called upon to enter into God’s presence through personal and corporate worship; and through this worship our spirits are restored and renewed.

5. Praise Reveals Solutions We Can't See

Through praising God, on Sunday morning and throughout the week, we position ourselves to sense the Holy Spirit revealing truth and the steadfast love of the living God. The Spirit and the Word impart truth, guidance, and, as Jeremiah wrote, “the great and mighty things we do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) The Lord Jesus Christ will guide, help, and bless those who seek and praise Him.

6. Helps Us Remember God's Blessing

As we praise God, we acknowledge His working and thank Him for His mercy. In doing this, the worshipper is soon overwhelmed as a flood of tender memories and stories of God’s grace and working come to mind. Remembering what the one true God did yesterday helps us to have faith that the living God will not forget nor forsake us tomorrow.

What Does it Mean to Worship God?

Worshipping God has two primary components—an inner and an outer expression. To worship God internally is to acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Good Shepherd, that Lord over all the earth. Jesus is the source of truth and joy, He is the one true God—before Him there is no other. Because He is above all things, He must be first in our thoughts, plans, and desires.

The outward expression of worship and praise is in response to what we know in our hearts to be true. Those who believe that the Lord, He is God, must pray to and direct their praise to Him. Those who love the Lord must serve the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul. And those who have received the mercy and grace of God must praise God with a joyful shout and continually enter His gates with thanksgiving. At the lowest common denominator, believers love God simply because He first loved us.

What Are The Seven Commands in Psalms 100?

Psalm 100 presents seven directives regarding praising God.
A brief profile of these directives follows:

“Shout Joyfully”

To shout is an indication of exuberance and unreserved action. We shout our praise because we are unashamed to honor the living God. Praising God does not require a church building or a worship service; all that is required is a thankful and sincere heart. When we express our joy with words of thanksgiving, praise, and confession, we inevitably make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Contrary to what you may have experienced in a Baptist church or Catholic mass service, shouts of praise are expected unto the Lord.

“Serving the Lord with Gladness”

Serving the Lord with gladness is the proper response to acknowledging that His steadfast love endures forever. Our desire to serve the Lord should flow from our recognition and gratitude for what Christ has done for us. Again, similarly to the statement above, we love others simply because Christ first loved us.

“Coming Before His Presence with Singing”

Singing to the Lord is evidence of a renewed heart and an understanding that Christ is the good shepherd who leads us to green pastures for his name’s sake. Accordingly, we accept His invitation to enter into His presence with singing and worship God with a grateful heart.

“Entering into His Gates with Thanksgiving”

In ancient times, the common man considered it a great honor to enter the court and have an audience with the king. The same is true today. Yet Psalm 100 tells us that we, the humble and meek, can enter His holy place and enter His courts with praise. It is an honor and a privilege beyond words. Not we, but Jesus the Savior makes this possible. As Mediator, Jesus allows us to ‘draw near the throne of grace with boldness' (Heb. 4:12) to worship God, to praise God, and to seek from God ‘mercy and help in our time of need.’

“Entering His Courts with Praise”

To sing before the Lord expresses the joy in our hearts. To enter His gates with thanksgiving notes our awareness of what He has done and promises to do. The command to enter His courts with praise reminds worshippers that God alone is worthy to be praised. Our praise, every joyful shout, testifies that we believe His steadfast love endures forever.
All humans praise someone or something–we’re wired as such. Thus to enter into His courts with praise fulfills the reason why we were created, to worship and relate to our Creator.

Being Thankful to Him

To be thankful to the Lord is to submit to His Lordship and sovereignty. When we express gratitude for our life and praise the Lord with gladness, we surrender our will, pride, and timing. This honors the Lord. Being thankful is not about what we say, but how we glorify God and serve the Lord in action and deed.

Blessing His Name

The thought that we can give anything to God or do anything of worth for the living God may seem ludicrous—but by God’s grace, it is a reality. The Lord invites His people to share in work that has eternal value and ramifications. Amazing. We bless God (and receive His favor), when we preach His Word, teach the Bible, draw people to faith, pray, and help others know that He is good and His salvation is for the whole world.

Why Do We Give Thanks To God?

The wise and faithful thank God because the Bible directs them to and because those who do are blessed. Lisa Apello, an author and widow with seven children, writes of how giving thanks to God helps believers find the mercy and grace of God. She writes that gratitude helps believers:

• see God
• receive help from God
• deepen their faith in God
• serve as a hedge against Satan’s lies and fiery darts of doubt

Giving thanks to God also helps believers focus on the truth and promises of God. Focusing on the truth and promises of God emboldens faith and helps all be the overcomers God desires.

Conclusion

Psalm 100 presents a wealth of encouraging information in just five short verses–they’re packed with meaning. The vast love of God is noted as all the earth is invited to draw near to the Lord—not to be judged or punished but with joy, thanksgiving, and praise. The Psalm affirms God's love for His people and points to the supreme expression of His love will be manifested in the coming Messiah.

Psalm 100 notes that Messiah will enjoy the attributes of God almighty; He will be creator, shepherd, and redeemer. Through the Messiah, the grace of God will be made known to all the earth, and all who receive the Truth of God will be saved.

These profound truths resonate in the hearts of the weary and elicit expressions of praise. We therefore sing, we praise, we come before the Lord with gladness, we shout, and we make a joyful noise. 

This is good, but there is more. Not only can we express the above privately, but we are also invited to stand on holy ground, the very courtroom of God, and honor Him with our praise. This is not an obligation but a profound privilege.

Undoubtedly, Psalm 100 has led believers through the centuries to find joy in remembering what God has done and by reflecting on what God is going to do. These wondrous thoughts prompt the worshipper to sing to the Lord with the utmost gladness.

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