Bible Study - Psalm 100

Psalm 100 is called in its introduction “A psalm for giving thanks.” It is part of a group of psalms of thanks and praise to God. The author is not identified. The psalm begins with a call to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.” These words are used in a number of other psalms and other places in the Old Testament. See, for example, Psalm 95:1 and Psalm 98:4-6.

In the Psalm 98 passage, a “horn” is mentioned. God’s people often used a ram’s horn, a shofar, for various purposes in the Old Testament. Such a horn could only make a few noises, unlike a modern-day trumpet; yet it was used and still is used for certain Jewish high festivals and was important as a part of the collapse of the walls of Jericho and the victory of God’s people as they entered the promised land (Joshua 6:1-5 ff). This sound of a horn may be the kind of “joyful noise” called for in this verse, or it may refer to the singing of people. Whether people can sing beautifully or not, we can still praise our Lord. The quality is not so important but, as the psalm goes on, that we praise the Lord in a genuine way, with our hearts.

Verse one also calls “all the earth” to make this “joyful noise,” referring to all nations and peoples. Martin Luther saw this as a prophecy of Christ. When Jesus came, He made it clear that the Good News of God’s love in His saving work was for all nations and all people, and He sent out His disciples to spread this message to everyone (Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16). We are still trying to fulfill this calling from our Lord today, sharing the hope we have in Christ our Savior.

Psalm 96 speaks of this calling even more for “all the earth" (Psalm 96:1). “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples (v.3)… Ascribe to the Lord, O families of peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength (v.7)… say to the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’” (v.10). Psalm 98:3 even says, “All the ends of earth have seen the salvation of our God.” That obviously had not yet happened when these psalms were written, but this is what the Lord wanted to happen, as His plan of salvation was finally carried out in Christ. Psalm 98:7-8 also combines this calling with the witness of all the earth, all creation, to the greatness of God - “the sea roaring… the rivers clapping their hands… the hills singing for joy together.” This is a “picture image” way of saying what Paul says in Romans 1:19-20 - that the power and majesty and reality of God can be seen in the marvels of His created world and universe. We can sense that when we are out in our natural world on a beautiful day.

Go back to Psalm 100, v.2. We are also called to be witnesses for our Lord by “serving the Lord with gladness.” As Christ first loved and served us, we are called also to serve Him and one another. (See passages like Romans 12:9-11.) In this psalm, the emphasis is on serving “with gladness.” Other Scriptures also speak of “serving the Lord with fear, and rejoicing with trembling” (Psalm 2:11), with proper awe and respect for God and what He wishes. But it is best when we can combine that service with joy and gladness.

We come, then, into “the presence” of God “with singing” (Psalm 100, v. 2), “with thanksgiving,” “with praise,” “blessing His Name” (Psalm 100, v.4). God is with us always (Matthew 28:20 and Hebrews 13:5, etc.), but in this psalm we are called to “enter His gates… and His courts” (Psalm 100 v.4). In the Old Testament, that would be the temple in Jerusalem. In our time, it would be coming to our churches, where God is especially present with His Word and His Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Holy week and Easter are great times to come to sing and praise and give thanks. But this psalm is calling us to come regularly into the Lord’s presence in this way, no matter the time of year.

Why? Because then we hear and “know that the Lord, He is God” (Psalm 100, v. 3). We hear God’s Word, and know that He confronted the followers of false gods, as in 1 Kings 18, where He showed His power and sent fire from heaven, and the people “fell on their faces and said,” just as Psalm 100, v.3 says, “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.” (Read especially 1 Kings 18:30-39.)

The God revealed in the Scriptures, the one true Triune God, is the only true God. He is the Creator of all things. “It is He who made us, and we are His” (Psalm 100, v.3). We are not “of ourselves,” as some translate this verse. So many people think that they are in charge of their own lives and can do whatever they want. Their choices are the only thing that matters. (See how the Pharaoh in Egypt thought that he was like a “great dragon” who even said, “My Nile (River) is my own; I made it for myself.” He would eventually fall and lose his kingdom (Ezekiel 29:1-5).

We are not our own and not on our own in this troubled world. As we are brought to faith in Christ, through God’s Word and our baptism, “We are God’s people and the sheep of His pasture.” He will help and care for us and feed us with His Word and His very Presence in the Lord’s Supper. He will lead and guide us, as sheep are not always the smartest. He will do this, because “He, the Lord, is good,” and knows what is best for us (Psalm 100, v.5).

We heard David saying the same thing in our study of Psalm 16: “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from You”  (Psalm 16:2). See also Psalm 25:8 and Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” This last passage is quoted by Peter in the New Testament in 1 Peter 2:1-3. He is referring to the “pure spiritual milk” of the Word and Sacraments that we receive as we gather for the “Divine Service” of the Lord to us in our worship.

This “steadfast love” (mercy) and “faithfulness” of God toward us will be available “to all generations” of people, too (Psalm 100:5). This is a reminder that we also have a responsibility to our children and grandchildren and others to try to make sure that these future generations are also hearing the Word of God and rejoicing in His promises, as well. Some have said that the church is only one generation away from extinction, if people do not continue to receive God’s Word and promises, in Christ. Things may become tougher, but God will not let His Church die out, because “His steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 110:5). The Risen Living Ascended Lord Jesus assures us of the “forever” that is ours through faith in Him, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39). We live in that great hope and joy, singing praises to our Lord.