Psalm 100- giving thanks, offering praise- recognizing what’s what and who’s WHO

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
       come before him with joyful songs.

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

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
       and his courts with praise;
       give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
       his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This morning I wanted to sit quietly and give thankful acknowledgement to the Lord for his goodness and love.

Somehow that doesn’t line up with the SHOUT instruction or the joyful songs, but I’m too tired to shout. 

This psalm has been a favorite for many years.

I learned it in sign language when I was a guide for Pioneer Girls Club, and we sang it every week for several years.

This was one of the songs I sang to Jordan at bedtime when he was a little boy.

I have made many stamped and embossed copies of it for Thanksgiving over the years- handing them out , using them to decorate the table.

It is such a DO’ing sort of psalm- with stage directions and everything-SHOUT,WORSHIP,KNOW,ENTER.  It directs us to get moving- to do something- to get active with our worship and our understanding.

It has the feel of an exercise instructor- “c’mon, you can do it, 1,2,3,4….keep it up 2,2,3,4”.

I WANT to Lord- I really do- my body is tired, but my soul is shouting- I’m shouting on the inside- I’m humming “Shout to the LORD”-

It’s coming- building up to a crescendo!

Psalm 100
A Thanksgiving Psalm

1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
      sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
      He made us; we didn’t make him.
      We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
      Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty,
      all-generous in love,
      loyal always and ever.

6 thoughts on “Psalm 100- giving thanks, offering praise- recognizing what’s what and who’s WHO

  1. I like this Psalm. What a wonderful feeling to know that I belong to God. He made me and takes care of me. I in turn sing his praises and am thankful for all he has done for me.

  2. Celia and Cynthia- that is so true! Thankfulness and praise should be our everyday song (psalm)!
    In fact our lives lived with joy and love are, in a sense, a testimony of thanks to our Maker.

  3. I’m glad this was the psalm of the week as my lips and thoughts have been full of praise after Tom’s heart attack. I cannot thank God enough for sparing my husband and for how well he is doing. And I’ve been asking everyone to give thanks with me for His mercy and grace. Thanks so much! Hope your energy is restored soon.

  4. This is one of my favorite Psalms, Heidi. I hope you’ll be feeling rested and ready to shout for real. People with a true grasp of gratitude are such a joy to be around. I love coming to your blog for just that reason.

Leave a Reply to Lilly Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *