The Bible — World English Bible

Psalm 100

In brief

Psalm 100 is a short psalm of praise, titled a psalm of thanksgiving in many translations. It calls the whole earth to shout for joy to the Lord, to serve him with gladness and to come before him with singing. It gives the reasons: the Lord is God, he made us and we belong to him, he is good, and his faithfulness lasts through all generations. Often read at the start of a service, it shows that praise begins by recognizing who God is.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-2Shout to the Lord and serve him with gladness
  2. v. 3Know who God is and who we are
  3. v. 4-5Enter his gates: God's goodness and faithfulness

1Shout for joy to Yahweh, all you lands!

2Serve Yahweh with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.

3Know that Yahweh, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.

5For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.

Key verses

Verse 2
Serve Yahweh with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.

Serving God and coming before him is done with gladness and singing, not out of heavy duty. The psalm joins praise to service.

Verse 3
Know that Yahweh, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

The verse recalls a truth about identity: the Lord is God, he made us, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Praise is born from this relationship.

Verse 4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.

We enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Gratitude is a way of drawing near to God.

Verse 5
For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.

The psalm ends on God's character: he is good, his loving kindness is eternal and his faithfulness reaches all generations. This verse gives assurance in times of doubt.

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What the sermons say

Show Me Your Glory: Search Out the Treasure Hidden in the TrialJunias Anane contrasts the mindset of a slave with that of a king. He draws on this psalm: a king enters God's presence with gratitude and songs of praise, not with complaints.Read the summary →Understanding the Power of ThanksgivingAnthony Amemor cites verse 4 to explain why we give thanks: thanksgiving opens the gates of God's presence.Read the summary →1 Corinthians 1: God Is Faithful, Paul's Confidence for Your ChurchFrantz Galland cites verse 5 to lean on God's faithfulness in every circumstance, facing an imperfect Church.Read the summary →Do You See the Little Cloud Rising Over Your Generation?The message opens with verse 1, which calls all the inhabitants of the earth to shout for joy, before a call to see God at work in a generation.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Psalm 100

What does Psalm 100 mean?

Psalm 100 is a call to joy and gratitude toward God. It invites the whole earth to serve the Lord with gladness, to recognize that he is God and that he made us, then to enter his presence with thanksgiving. It ends on God's goodness and his faithfulness that lasts from generation to generation.

What does the sheep of his pasture mean?

The expression in verse 3 compares God's people to a flock that the shepherd feeds and protects. It stresses that we belong to God and depend on him, not on ourselves. This theme joins other biblical texts, such as Psalm 23, where the Lord is the shepherd.

How can I pray with Psalm 100?

Read it aloud at the start of your prayer time, before bringing your requests. Thank God for three specific things, then repeat verse 5: he is good, his faithfulness endures forever. Many families and churches sing it or read it to begin a gathering.

Articles quoting Psalm 100

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World English Bible translation — public domain.