This psalm is like a doxology to the praise psalms that begin with Psalm 94. It was likely a psalm sung as the people entered “His gates” to the temple to worship, and then in the temple, it is sung in “His courts.” We have two songs in the Believer’s Hymn Book that answer the truths taught in Psalm 100. The title of the hymn is “Old One Hundredth.” One of them is “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
Psalm 100 is full of wonder, as facts were recited as the choir entered the temple at special times to worship. When they were inside, the blending of voices in praise would have lifted the hearts of those worshipers. Worship doesn’t mean God’s people have to be long-faced with heads bowed down because that is expected of those who come across as people concerned about how they appear to others. It involves gladness and joy, thankfulness, and singing from the heart. Praise lifts the hearts and spirits of God’s people today when we come together with singing, just like it did in those long-ago days.
Knowing our Lord is the One who created us, and God overall is a reason to praise the Lord. Knowing He is the Shepherd of Israel as a people, and “the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,” is a good reason to praise. Knowing Him personally as our Savior and Lord leads us to praise and be glad in the Lord. There is real joy in praising God when the Lord’s people join their voices in singing God’s praises to Him. When we enter His courts, we need to be prepared and come with praise in our hearts before we get to the meeting place. We must come with thanksgiving to honor and acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ as He is and what He has done.
When God is truly worshiped, we do so with gladness and joy, singing our thanksgiving, honoring, and blessing His name. He is our Lord and our God. He is our Creator, our Shepherd, the One to whom we belong. He is excellent and full of loving-kindness. Like the psalmist, we can genuinely say, “The Lord is good!” In every way, His goodness is evident.
Those who worship in spirit and truth recognize God's character and the nature of His works. God's goodness, love, mercy, grace, and faithfulness to us prompt believers to worship Him with full hearts. His mercy is everlasting. It never runs out. His truth can always be counted on, not to change, because it endures to all generations. Thanksgiving, prayer, praise, and learning from God’s word are all essentials of worship.
God is unapproachable because of His holiness, but by His grace, he bids us to come near Him by faith. So, we worship and serve Him, and those two things go together as we incorporate the character of God, who gave us our “new nature,” into our practices of life and conduct. Those who live as if they are the center of their own world are inclined to pride, greed, and self-centered idolatry. But when life is over, and all they lived for is gone, all they have left is hopelessness. For the child of God, we are uplifted when we give Him glory. “You shall give Him glory, and I shall give Him glory; we all shall give Him glory, for glory is His due.”
He is the Shepherd, and we are the sheep. He is the Redeemer, and we are the redeemed. It is normal for us to thank God for His unfailing love and guidance. We do not rely on form when we worship, but at the same time, worship when God’s people meet is orderly and appropriate. There is a big difference between form and reality. Reality brings joy and gladness. True worship and praise to our God from redeemed hearts is genuine when we praise Him who is plenteous in mercy, abounding in grace, and full of love.
PSALM 100 “ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING” v.1-3. A Joyful Procession. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. v.4-5. A Thankful Entry. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.”