Psalm 100
The scene: people are coming from all corners of Jerusalem. The entire city appears to be moving through the streets that lead to Mt. Zion and its temple. It's the hour of worship, and the worship leader is at the great door. He opens it and begins singing to the people who are closest. He lifts up his hands as he sings, saying, "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!" Then he himself shouts, "Hellelujah" to the people, because the word means, "Let us praise Jehovah!" When they hear this, the people sing and shout the same words to those behind them until the entire city is joining in.
Next is an exhortation: "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing!" The words are joyfully repeated by one group after another of the vast congregation coming to the temple.
As they come, the leader reminds them in song that they are coming to joyfully worship the one true God. He says,"Know that the Lord, He is GOD." And they are reminded that He is their Creator and Lord, that they are His special, covenant people: "It is He Who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." The words are repeated throughout Jerusalem, so that the whole city is echoing them.
And they're reminded to come with heartfelt appreciation. They sing, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise! Be thankful to Him, and bless His Name!"
Finally, all the worshippers are reminded of the reason for this gathering. He sings, "For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations!" They're joining a vast choir of all who came before and all who shall come afterward - that they are coming into the very Presence of the eternal LORD GOD of the universe, the God Who is full of goodness, mercy, and truth. He's telling them that their praise must be appropriate for such a God!
How is it with you as you gather with God's people to worship Him each Lord's day? When you sing the opening hymn, do you realize that you're joining that same vast choir of the people of God of all ages? Are you aware that you're entering into His majestic Presence? Oh may we be revived!
Al, this Psalm is special to me because my little granddaughter, Sydney, who is only 4 years old has memorized this Psalm. She is so cute with her little finger in the air as she says "It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of His pasture."
Thank you Al for this study.
God Bless Ruthie
I'm more than glad it is a blessing to you Ruthie. And it's wonderful, isn't it, when our children memorize the Scripture. God can and will use that Word later in her mind and heart!
Well Al, I will tell you the rest of the story. Little Sydney was not going to Sunday School. My son and daughter in law had not taken her yet. I was praying about it. Then Sydney started to go to my daughter's Christian school. My daughter started the school. It's called New Beginnings Christian School. Well that's when I heard Sydney quoting Psalm 100. I was so thrilled because it took her only a little while to catch up to the children who were going to Sunday School.
After I read your devotional on Psalm 100 and how the worship leader lifts up his hands and says "Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands" I realize that is exactly the way Sydney says it with her hand in the air and pointing her little finger.
This has been such a blessing. Thank you Al that I could share this with you.
God Bless Ruthie
I pray God will bless little Sydney even more and more in her continuing experience at that school!
As I was scanning through the postings for the Psalms I was prompted to stop and have a look as this one and yes as this is Easter Weekend and celebrating the joy of Christs death on the cross for all of the world and then on the third day He rises again, oh what joy and yes we have so very much to be thankful for - the list of things is so long but most of all I am thankful for a wonderful Sunday School teacher that lead me to the Lord.
Ruth
Amen to that Ruth!
I love this Psalm I don't know how I missed this the first time around Al. We used to sing this Psalm at the church in Lucerne valley. It was the Pastor's favorite song.
I turn to Psalm 100 frequently just to praise the Lord for his Goodness.
Typo Al?
Then he himself shouts, "Hellelujah"
Got it! Thanks again, Pat! I think I'll hire you as my editor. For pay, how about you get to read it, plus three pats on the back?
Paul and I are just getting so much out of these Psalms, Alan. We are enjoying them so much and then when we pray, we pray for you.