Psalms 100

For centuries, Christian congregations have sung William Kethe’s paraphrase of this psalm, wedded to the beloved tune “Old Hundredth.” First published in 1561, the words summarize the message of the psalm and help the worshippers give thanks to the Lord. Sometimes the traditional “Doxology” (“Praise God from whom all blessings flow”) by Thomas Ken is sung as the last verse. The psalm is a fitting climax to the collection of “royal psalms” (93, 95—100) and sums up their emphasis on God’s sovereign rule, His goodness to His people, the responsibility of all nations to acknowledge Him, and the importance of God’s people exalting and worshipping Him. (See 95:1–2, 6–7.)

We are admonished in Ephesians 5: to be filled with the Spirit of God, and the evidence of this fullness is that we are joyful (5:19), thankful (5:20), and submissive (5:21—6:9). In Colossians 3:16–25, we are instructed to be filled with the Word of God, and when we are, we will be joyful (3:16), thankful (3:17), and submissive (3:20–25). These three characteristics of the believer controlled by God’s Spirit and God’s Word— and they go together—are presented in this wonderful psalm of thanksgiving.

We can easily understand the people of Israel shouting joyfully in praise to their great God (vv. 3, 5), but the psalmist calls for all the nations of the earth to praise Him. This is a recurring theme in the “royal psalms” (97:1, 6; 98:2–4, 7; 99:1–2), for it was Israel’s responsibility to introduce the Gentiles to the true and living God. The church has been commissioned to take the good news into all the world (Matt. 28:18–20; Mark 16:15), and it will be a glorious day when God’s people gather at His throne from “all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues” (Rev. 7:9). But our shouting ought to lead to serving Him, for He is the only true God (Deut. 6:13; 10:12; Josh. 24:15–24). Worship leads to service, and true service is worship. If we sing in the Spirit and with understanding, our songs are received in heaven as sacrifices to the Lord (Heb. 13:15).

The verb “know” means “to know by experience.” It also carries the meaning of “acknowledge.” What we have experienced in our hearts we openly confess to others and bear witness of our glorious God. (See 1 Kings 18:39.) The phrase “made us” means much more than “He created us,” for He also created the nations that do not know Him. It means “Jehovah constituted us as a nation, His chosen people.” (See 95:6–7; 149:2; Deut. 32:6, 15; Isa. 29:23; 60:21.) The phrase “not we ourselves” can also be translated “and we are his.” This connects with the next statement, “We are his people …” (see Isa. 43:1). The image of God’s people as a flock of sheep is frequently found in Scripture (74:1; 77:20; 78:52; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; Gen. 48:15; 49:24; Num. 27:17; Isa. 40:11; John 10; 21:16–17; Heb. 13:20–21; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:1–4). This verse is a simple statement of faith: Jehovah is God, Creator, Redeemer, and Shepherd, and we are submitted to Him. If the sheep do not submit to their shepherd, they will stray into danger.

The procession of worshippers has now reached the gates of the sanctuary, and they burst out in songs of praise. Why? Because of the Lord’s goodness, mercy (lovingkindness), and faithfulness. (See parallels in 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 136:1–3; and see also 1 Chron. 16:34; 2 Chron. 5:13.) “O, taste and see that the Lord is good” (37:8), and He gives that which is good (85:12; Rom. 8:28). The word truth is a form of the Hebrew word amen and refers to God’s faithfulness and reliability. It is the same word used in Exodus 17: to describe Moses’ hands “staying steady,” and in Genesis 15: it is translated “believed” (“relied on,” literally “said amen to the Lord”). (See Deut. 7:9; 32:4.) From generation to generation, the Lord can be trusted (90:1; Ex. 34:5–7). It is significant that the fathers’ and mothers’ worship today will have an important influence on their children tomorrow.

If we are controlled by the Holy Spirit of God and the holy Word of God, we will reveal it in the way we worship God. Instead of imitating the world, we will be led by the Word and the Spirit to be joyful in the Lord, submissive to the Lord, and thankful to the Lord, and the world will see the difference. Finally, note that a spirit of thanksgiving helps us overcome some of the “sins in good standing” that too often invade our lives: complaining (v. 1), idolatry (v. 2), pride (v. 3), and ingratitude (v. 4). It was when our first parents became “unthankful” that the human race began that terrible descent into sin and judgment (Rom. 1:18–32; note v. 21). Instead of being thankful for what they had, Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie that the Lord was holding out on them (Gen. 3:1—“every tree”), and this led to their sin. A thankful spirit is a triumphant spirit.