Lesson Context: The superscription to Psalm 100 states the obvious. The psalm concerns praise, or better, thanksgiving. Psalm 100 is found in the fourth of these five books. Many scholars consider this section of psalms to be the answer to the problem presented in the first three books : the Davidic dynasty established (Psalm 2); the flourishing of that dynasty (Psalm 72); and the failure of the dynasty (Psalm 89). The emphasis in Book IV of psalms is simply that God reigns. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025)
l. An Invitation to Worship (Psalm 100:1-2): A. Open to All (v. 1).
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” “The original word signifies a glad shout, such as loyal subjects give when their king appears among them. Our happy God should be worshipped by happy people; a cheerful spirit is in keeping with his nature, his acts, and the gratitude which we should cherish for his mercies” (Spurgeon). “All you lands”: “The nations must recognize who the Lord is. He is Yahweh, by whose grace and blessings his people exist. The nations too are invited to sing hymns to the Lord and to worship him.” (VanGemeren) (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
B. With Gladness (v. 2)
2a. “Serve the Lord with gladness.” The whole earth is invited to serve the Lord. The psalmist likely had in mind the service of worship or temple rituals, but the principle applies to any service directed to God. Those who serve the Lord should do it with gladness.
2b. “Come before his presence with singing.” As in many places in the psalms, praise is expressed in song. Singing is not the only way to praise God, but it is the chief way to praise Him. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
ll. An Invitation to Know (Psalm 100:3-5): A. Who God is (v. 3a-b).
3a. “Know ye that the Lord he is God.” The praise that comes to God from His people and all lands should be mindful. We have many reasons to worship Yahweh, the covenant of God of Israel, and the reasons begin with the recognition that He is God.
3b. “It is he that hath made us.” The next reason to worship God is in appropriate recognition of His work as Creator. The idea that we could make ourselves is absurd, and we should worship the One who has made us. (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
B. Who We Are (v. 3c).
3c. “And not we ourselves. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” The third reason to worship God is because He has chosen a people (originally the Jewish people, then added the followers of Jesus Christ), and he cares for us as the sheep of His pasture.
C. Why We Should Praise (vv. 4-5).
4a. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise.” Here the psalmist pictures the people of God from all you lands (verse 1) entering through the gates and into the courts of the temple. As God’s people approach, we should do so with thanksgiving, recognizing how much God has done for us. “Into His courts with praise.” Thanks and praise merge together as God’s people are thankful and bless His name. 4b. “Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” To bless God means to praise Him and give thanks unto Him, or to give Him all proper due. The congregation should praise God and elevate His name above all others. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025) 5. “For the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations.” Thanks and praise is right in recognition of God’s goodness. He is good in His plans, good in His grace, good in His forgiveness, good in His covenant, and good in every aspect of His being. “The God of the Bible is and has always been good.” (Boice)