Give Thanks to God • Psalm 100:1-5
By Laura Lee Leathers
Our lesson today diverts from our series in Genesis. It’s the beginning of Thanksgiving week, a time to focus on giving thanks and spending time with family. Having a thankful heart is so much more than the observance of a day, one time per year.
We are to have a grateful heart every day, in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16), and as we are giving thanks, we are to worship God.
Turn in your Bible and slowly read Psalm 100. This metrical psalm is filled with a wealth of theology. I’d like to suggest an article written by Ligon Duncan, chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson: https://ligonduncan.com/sunday-song-all-people-that-on-earth-do-dwell-psalm-100/.
Duncan gives in-depth information about the “Old Hundredth” and worship. Today we sing, “All People That on Earth Do Dwell (Old 100th, 2008 Edition of the Baptist Hymnal, page 40). You should recognize the tune.
However, when it comes to a commentary on the Psalms, The Treasury of God, Spurgeon’s great work on Psalms, is my go-to resource. The first thing Spurgeon points out about Psalm 100 is the fact that it’s the only Psalm with the inscription, A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
Spurgeon also writes there is “nothing more sublime this side of heaven than the singing of the great Psalm by a large congregation,” so let’s unpack the theology of this Psalm and then apply it to our lives.
Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:1-2). How do we make a joyful noise to Lord? We do so by singing praises to God. Verse one of this chapter is a repetition of Psalm 98:4, and it was this Psalm that inspired Isaac Watts to write the hymn, Joy to the World (1719). God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 23:3 KJV).
The David Jeremiah Study Bible gives the following words regarding the question, “Why We Should Praise God:” He is our creator, owner, leader, sustainer, Savior, and successor. Write these words next to each one of the verses where they are referenced. We are to serve the Lord with gladness and joy. It’s all about worship.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God (Psalm 100:3). “Know that the Lord, He is God.” The word “know” is “yada” in Hebrew, and it means experiencing and completely knowing the truth. This verse describes Whom we are to be worshipping. In this verse, notice the contrasts. God is the creator and our Father. We are His creation and children. God is the Shepherd, and we are sheep (See Ps. 23:1; John 10:11-16).
Give thanks to Him and bless His name (Psalm 100:4-5). The reference to gates and courts in verse four refers to the parts of the Temple complex. As you enter, praise Him and offer a sacrifice of gratitude.
Spurgeon writes, “He blessed you; bless Him in return. Bless His name, His character, His person. Whatever He does, bless Him for it. Bless Him when He takes as well as when He Gives. Bless Him as long as you live, under all circumstances. Bless Him in all His attributes, from whatever point of view you consider Him.”
There is never an end to the ways and whys we are to “bless His name.”
The final verse asks us to focus on God’s goodness (good, gracious, kind, bountiful, and loving). Think about how His “mercy is everlasting.” God has a heart of compassion, is slow to anger, and doesn’t want anyone to perish.
Take a moment to ponder the last line: “And His truth endures to all generations.” In other versions, the word” truth” is rendered as faithfulness. God keeps His promises.
Spurgeon puts it this way, “A changeable God would be a terror to the righteous. They would have no sure anchor, and amid a changing world, they would be driven to and fro in perpetual fear of shipwreck. It would be well if the truth of divine faithfulness was more fully remembered by some theologians. It would overturn their belief in the final fall of believers and teach them a more comforting system.”
“Psalm 100 reminds us who God is, what he has done, and why we should thank him” (LifeWay). Therefore, we would all do well to start and finish our day by reading this Psalm. Then, if you want to make a joyful noise by singing, you can download:
— The original Old Hundredth/All People That on Earth Do Dwell (https://www.mfiles.co.uk/scores/old-100th.htm).
— A modern version, Psalm 100 by Chris Tomlin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaL_VeHil6U).
Blessings to you and yours, and remember: “A thankful spirit is a triumphant spirit” (Warren Wiersbe).
Leathers is a member of First Church, Lexington. She may be contacted at laura.l.leathers@gmail.com.
