A Psalm of Thanksgiving
Psalm 100 is a psalm about worship; it is a call for all people to worship the Lord. Brethren, our praise is evidence of our faith, for it reveals how well we know the Lord and how loyal we are to Him.
Brethren, we should Worship the Lord with Gladness Because He is Great (100:1-3). The psalmist begins with four commands for those that would hear his message. First he calls on all the earth to raise a joyful shout of acclamation and pay homage to the Sovereign King of the earth (100:1). Second, believers should serve the Lord as a spiritual act of worship, and come before Him singing with joy (100:2). Joining with God’s people in praise of the Lord should cause genuine joy and celebration. The psalmist instructs his listeners to know the Lord (100:3). Knowledge of God is a prerequisite for worship. Knowledge of God gives us reasons for praising Him. He alone is God, and YHWH is His name. He is the Creator, and all people owe Him their allegiance. We are His sheep, and Jesus is our Great Shepherd. As our Shepherd, He protects us, provides for us, and cares for us.
Brethren, we should Worship the Lord with Gratitude Because He is Good (100:4-5). The psalmist calls on believers to enter into worship with God’s people in a communal way (100:4). We show thanksgiving to God by publicly acknowledging His attributes and works and praising Him for them. Believers are to bless the name of the Lord by giving Him public praise that elevates the Lord in the minds of others. The reason for this great praise is that God is good (100:5). He is faithful to His promises to His people and His love endures forever.