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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
Psalm 100. This hymn, though not explicitly a psalm celebrating God's kingship, brings the collection of kingship hymns to a close with its exuberant call to come before the Lord in worship. Like the divine kingship psalms, this hymn invites "all the earth" (i.e., all the Gentiles) to join the song of praise. The title declares that this psalm is "for giving thanks." That is certainly fitting, as the worshipers thank the universal Creator for the privilege of being "the sheep of his pasture." The term "giving thanks" (Hb. todah) can also be the name for the thanksgiving offering, one kind of peace offering (Lev. 7:12-15). Since the peace offering is a meal enjoyed in God's presence, this too is fitting for the psalm; but there is no reason to be so specific. Further, Ps. 100:4 uses the word in its ordinary sense (in parallel with "praise"). There are several phrases shared between this psalm and Psalm 95, as the notes will point out.
100:1 joyful noise. Cf. 95:1-2. Also rendered, "shout for joy" (66:1). all the earth. The Lord is the Creator of all people, not just Israel; and Israel exists to bring light to the entire earth.
100:2 gladness . . . singing. Awareness of the goodness of God (v. 5) and of the great privilege of worshiping him produces joy in those who know they are welcome in his presence.
100:3 he who made us. This could be a reference to God's work as Creator of all; but, in view of what follows in the verse, it seems to be more specifically, "made us [Israel] to be his people." and we are his. Earlier English translations read "not" in place of "his" (see ESV footnote, "and not we ourselves"); the Hebrew for both sounds almost identical ("his," Hb. lo; "not," Hb. lo’), but "his" is the better reading. his people, and the sheep of his pasture. For the image of God's people as his sheep and the Lord as their shepherd, see note on 74:1-3. See also 95:7.
100:4 gates . . . courts. Parts of the temple complex.
100:5 good. Full of generosity (cf. 23:6; 25:7-8). steadfast love . . . faithfulness. These terms evoke Ex. 34:6; the foundation of joy for God's people is his enduring character of gracious love, of keeping his promises. to all generations. Exodus 34:7 says that God keeps his steadfast love "for thousands," which, in view of Deut. 7:9, is probably "generations in their thousands." The worshipers delight to think of the people of God being preserved forever, and of the prospect of their own descendants being members of that people (cf. Gen. 17:7; Ps. 103:17-18); this, too, is the measure of God's enduring love.
