Psalms100
A Universal Call to Worship
Entering God's Presence with Praise
Study Notes for Psalms 100
Verse 1
This psalm is one of the designated 'Tôdah' (thanksgiving or praise offering) psalms. The opening call is explicitly universal ('all ye lands'), anticipating the eventual inclusion of all nations in the worship of Yahweh.
Verse 2
This verse emphasizes that true worship is not passive but active service, which must be paired with the proper disposition ('gladness'), contrasting with reluctant or somber religious duty.
Verse 3
This verse provides the theological justification for worship: God is both the sovereign Creator ('hath made us') and the faithful covenant Shepherd ('his people, and the sheep of his pasture'), demanding recognition of His authority and care.
Verse 4
The mention of 'gates' and 'courts' shifts the focus from the universal call to the specific practice of Temple worship, instructing worshippers to begin their approach with voiced gratitude and blessing.
Verse 5
The psalm concludes by listing three enduring attributes of God: His intrinsic goodness, His everlasting steadfast love (*hesed*), and His eternal faithfulness (*emet*), which provide the foundation for praise across all generations.