Psalm 100 is a very short poem, but it has great value in answering the question “How shall we come before Him?”  The first four verses give us five answers, and verse five gives us the basis for the answers.

Let us read the entire psalm now.

Let us come before the Lord with the following five things: joy (v.1), gladness (v.2), knowledge (v.3), thanksgiving (v.4), and praise (v.4).  We have encountered all of these things frequently in the Psalms, and we will continue to do so.  They are useful in many of the circumstances of life in this “old sinful world.”  Here, our inspired author teaches us to come to worship with these characteristics.  Before we look at each of them in the context of Psalm 100, let us remember that we cannot come to worship with joy, gladness, knowledge, thanksgiving, and praise unless we involve ourselves in preparation.  Those who attend worship without attending to preparation will find worship rather empty and fruitless (Let me preface the remarks on the text with the point that the Psalms are not a part of the covenant under which we live today, but the principles that are taught here are still valuable.  So, when we worship, we would do well to apply the lessons of this psalm to ourselves.).

Verse one teaches that we should have joy.  The sounds that come from us should be joyful—and He invites everyone to participate—from all the lands.  True worship, and true unity among people, ought to lead to great joyful sounds of worship!

Verse two teaches that we should have gladness.  This gladness is to be a part of our serving Him in the place where we come with singing.  There are many who abuse this element of worship today.  By doing so, they turn worship into an irreverent, humanly designed entertainment experience.  If people who engage in assemblies such as the ones that are frequently aired on television today would compare the glad reverence of worship assemblies in the Bible, they would learn that gladness is very appropriate—but not at the expense of reverence and the Bible pattern for worship, which demands that we worship in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23,24).

Verse three teaches that we should have knowledge.  There are two directions of knowledge according to this statement.  The first is knowledge about God, and the second is knowledge about ourselves.  We know that Jehovah is God—and we know that we are not God!  In this verse, the basis of this knowledge is in the fact of creation:  God created us, and we did not create ourselves!  There is some dispute about how the phrase “and not we ourselves” should be translated, but I believe the King James does the best job.  Leupold comments on it very well: “The suggested correction reads: ‘and to Him we (belong),’ or: ‘and His we are.’  This latter reading is quite commonly accepted, and it is usually claimed that it fits the situation much better.  We do not believe that to be the case.  Since the pronoun subject of the preceding clause is expressed, there is nothing that quite catches that emphasis as well as does the contrast between: He made us and not we ourselves, which is the traditional text” (Exposition of the Psalms, p.700).

Verse four teaches that we should have thanksgiving.  There really is no end to the things for which we could be thankful, if we just would learn to humble ourselves and think about all that Jehovah does for us every moment.  The past, present, and future are filled with things that can go on the “Thank You” list.  Let us be thankful, and let us teach the children to be thankful.

Verse four also teaches that we should come with praise when we come to worship.  This praise is not to be praise that is given to the human participants in worship!  God deserves, and should be the object of our praise!  This praise has two elements—thankfulness and blessing (see the occasions in Revelation when praise is given to deity and note the constant ascription of thankfulness and blessing that is directed toward the One Who is on the throne.)

The last verse serves the basis for all of the previous instructions.  The poet reminds us of three things about Jehovah that will encourage the true worshiper to follow His ways forever.  Adam Clarke has this to say about the three things:

"He is good." This is his very nature.
"He is merciful." This flows from his goodness.
"He is true;" keeping covenant forever with them that fear him; and fulfilling all his promises to the believing and obedient.

(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft)

The psalm has a final point of motivation for us—God’s mercy and truth (faithfulness) are “everlasting” and endure “to all generations.”  What more could anyone want than that powerful, but brief encouragement that is found in Psalm 100?

Do you worship God regularly with His faithful people? If not, then please read this psalm regularly.

Do you look forward to that which true worship means to God and can mean to you?  If not, please read this psalm regularly.

Do you want, more than anything, to be in heaven where this joyful thanksgiving is presented to God forever?  If not, please read this psalm regularly.

If your answers to the above questions were “Yes”, then please continue to read Psalm 100 regularly!

It can be read in just a few seconds—but the benefits can be yours forever.
 

SICK LIST:  George Sellers will be having surgery next week.  Tracie Lanier has pneumonia.  Let’s remember them in our prayers. 

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 3 is in charge of the services today at 1:30. 

MOVING:  BJ and Jessica Johnson will be moving to Jackson, Mississippi.  BJ is being transferred.  This will be BJ’s last week here.  There will be a “farewell” party Wednesday evening, June 19, following Bible Study.  Please bring ice cream or watermelon.  See Greg or Jane Graham if you have questions. 

MISSION TRIP:  Ed and Lena Crookshank, Paul Meacham, Jr., and Dave Amos are in Malawi and Zambia.  They plan to return next week.  Please keep them in your prayers.  

AWAY:  Skip and Helen will be in Texas for about two weeks.  Skip will be recording lessons on “What Is Your Goliath?” for World Video Bible School.  They will also be taping interviews for a series on preachers and their wives.  Lori and Helen’s two sisters will be driving with them.  Please keep them in your prayers as they travel.

FOR THE RECORD: 
Sunday Class               140
Sunday AM Worship   175
Sunday PM Worship    132
Wednesday Class          89 +
 Campers                      40
Contribution            $3919

COVERED DISH DINNER:  Don’t forget our monthly fellowship meal following morning services Sunday, June 30.  Group 2 will host.

LADIES’ CLASS:  The evening ladies’ class will be Monday, June 24, at 7:30.  Sheri McAfee will be teaching.