Psalm 100
Psalm 100 is placed at the end of several psalms, which call on believers to praise God for His mighty works. This psalm urges us to thank God as the Creator, the Preserver, and the Benefactor. In worship, praise is a sacrificial response from those receiving God’s earthly and spiritual blessings. All creatures owe God praise for their existence and preservation. However, sin has blinded creatures to the wonderful and hidden ways God works in the world. By faith people humbly understand that all blessings come from God—“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). By faith, they thank God for life, health, Word, trust, Christ, salvation.
In verse one, believers in all lands are urged to “make a joyful shout to God.” The important word is “joyful” because it comes from the heart filled with faith in God for His salvation from sin. While “praise” can be done in the mind, but the whole being of man needs to be engaged in praising God.
Verse two is a call to worship as we “serve,” God, “come before His presence,” and “sing.” Only by faith in the Messiah can believers serve God “with gladness.” For the law produces terrors of conscience and fear of eternal punishment. But God promised that the Messiah would bless all nations and destroy Satan and re- establish a relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins. Only through this forgiveness by faith can sinners come into God’s presence for worship. God is present in His Word and Sacraments, which give forgiveness, life and salvation.
Verse three gives us reasons to worship God with joyful shouts, service, and singing: 1) Jehovah alone is God, who exists from eternity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2) Jehovah made us, creating all things out of nothing by the power of His word (see Hebrews 11:3 and the Explanation to the First Article, ELH, pg 32). God made us His people by faith in Jesus, faith also being a gift of God. We are also called God’s sheep, whom He cares for day and night and whom our Good Shepherd leads to heaven (see the Explanation to the Second Article, ELH, pg 32). Both God’s creation and His calling sinners as His children are acts of supreme love.
The next two verses (4 to 5) are a parallel restatement of the first three verses. All people are invited to join the congregation of believers and saints in the worship of God at the Temple (gates and courts in Jerusalem)— wherever God’s Word is preached. Worship is characterized by a) thanksgiving for the richness of His spiritual blessings and b) by blessing God’s name, which is God’s Word. We bless His name by gladly hearing His Word, believing it, and living according to it.
Verse 5 again gives us reason for our joyful thankful songs—God loving attributes of goodness, mercy and truth. We are to especially praise God because of His eternal mercy—seen in Jesus—on sinners. The Gospel message of salvation by faith in Jesus is a truth that endures forever. We can trust God to keep His Word forever. Every new generation on earth needs to praise the Lord and be thankful to Him.
