Praise The Lord - Psalm 100

Praise the Lord –Psalm 100








The Hebrew title of the Book of Psalms is ‘Tehillim’ which literally means the Book of Praises. The Book of Psalms or “Praises” was actually the songbook for worship events in the temple in ancient Jerusalem, and the Psalms were especially designed for singing. Psalm 100 is a short poetic psalm that begins by urging us all to praise the Lord. “Make a joyful shout unto the Lord, all you lands!” Psalm 100:1.



The importance of praising God is stated right off and the rest of the Psalm just keeps on going with this message. “Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100:2. Verse two reiterates what verse one has already said, but then adds a bit more. The child of God is told to sing and be joyful while serving God.



Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit: a gift that we are given when we believe. Christians have much to be joyful about and this hope and joy gives strength to our lives. Nehemiah 8:10 says: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” So let’s take this joy gift out and use it by singing praises to God. .This can be a remedy for times when one may feel weak or depressed. David built himself up in the Lord by praising Him, and we can do that too.



Psalm 22:3 says that God is present (enthroned) in the praises of His people. I have been in church groups where I could feel the warm Presence of God while the group was singing their praises. The verb ‘inhabit’ in Hebrew is ‘yawshab’ which means; -“to sit down, to remain, to settle, or marry.” In other words, God doesn’t just visit us when we praise Him, but His Presence abides with us. There’s power in praise.



Psalm 100:3 goes on with: “Know that the Lord, He is God: It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” This verse just gives us more reasons to praise God. He created us for Himself to be His children, to do His work. Our birth wasn’t an accident. We were planned and loved before the foundation of the earth.



If we were to stand before a nice house and be told that the structure just accidentally evolved over millions of years, the timbers, cement and all the details of construction just falling into place over time; we would laugh at such a story. Obviously someone has to plan and build a house! No one could believe that a house could bring itself together even over extended periods of time! Is it easier for a house to just evolve over millions of years without human builders or a live person to be born without God creating her/him? Psalm 100:3 tells us that God made us and we didn’t sprout all by ourselves. Another reason to praise God, our Maker and our Creator.



“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4 This little Psalm just doesn’t quit. It continues encouraging us to praise and thank God, and to bless His name. Perhaps thanking God doesn’t seem that important to us. But Scripture tells us that it is. I know it’s important to me. When I send gifts year after year and never ever hear a response or a thank you, I become discouraged and wonder if I should continue sending gifts. Remembering to be grateful may seem like a small thing, but little things mean a lot. And Psalms 100 reminds us to enter His gates with thanksgiving.



Psalm 100:5 ends with: “For the Lord is good: His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” Three reasons to praise and thank God with joy and gladness. When we see troubles and problems everywhere we can remember that God is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth will be there forever. In the end good will overcome evil. It’s written in the Book. So let’s just praise the Lord.