Hi Sheila. It would be difficult to share on verse 4 only, without looking at the whole Psalm. So, I shall give some thoughts for you. The author of Psalm 100 is unknown, but it is a call for ALL to worship the LORD. The Psalmist is so full of praise & thanksgiving, that he longs for all the inhabitants of the Earth to worship the LORD (v1).
He then adds in verse 3, to know that the LORD is (the One) God. Psalm 96:5: "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens." That there can only be one True God for He is the One Who has created us, we are accounted as His very own - as a Shepherd Who owns, guards & nourishes His flock - He loves all His creation, even those who reject or deny Him - He gives blessing to each one ( Matthew 5:45: "(God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."). And a further reminder, that He created mankind & we are not "self-created" or from our vain imaginations, but that God is not only our Creator but our Sustainer & Provider.
With that Truth in our hearts, why shouldn't all people respond with "thanksgiving, praise & blessing" to His Name (v 4), & especially to those to Whom He has revealed Himself (Israel) & to those of us, by virtue of His Son's Death & Resurrection & Gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Israel should have entered the Temple gates & courtyard with such joy & confidence in their Creator but sin hid God's Face from them ( Isaiah 59:2). Likewise, harbouring sin in our lives, will keep us from joy & confidence in the Lord & our praise might be only empty words habitually spoken. But when we come into the Holy Place (the place of His Presence, of joy & rest), we can be confident because of "having clean hands, and a pure heart" ( Psalm 24:4) & that because of Jesus' shed Blood for us ( Hebrews 10:19-22). We can praise Him from our hearts through words, music, testimony & witness ( Hebrews 13:15).
He then adds in verse 3, to know that the LORD is (the One) God. Psalm 96:5: "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens." That there can only be one True God for He is the One Who has created us, we are accounted as His very own - as a Shepherd Who owns, guards & nourishes His flock - He loves all His creation, even those who reject or deny Him - He gives blessing to each one ( Matthew 5:45: "(God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."). And a further reminder, that He created mankind & we are not "self-created" or from our vain imaginations, but that God is not only our Creator but our Sustainer & Provider.
With that Truth in our hearts, why shouldn't all people respond with "thanksgiving, praise & blessing" to His Name (v 4), & especially to those to Whom He has revealed Himself (Israel) & to those of us, by virtue of His Son's Death & Resurrection & Gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Israel should have entered the Temple gates & courtyard with such joy & confidence in their Creator but sin hid God's Face from them ( Isaiah 59:2). Likewise, harbouring sin in our lives, will keep us from joy & confidence in the Lord & our praise might be only empty words habitually spoken. But when we come into the Holy Place (the place of His Presence, of joy & rest), we can be confident because of "having clean hands, and a pure heart" ( Psalm 24:4) & that because of Jesus' shed Blood for us ( Hebrews 10:19-22). We can praise Him from our hearts through words, music, testimony & witness ( Hebrews 13:15).
(You can add to the above, as you're led).
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?