Psalms 100:3

KJV

Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

KJV (with Strong's)

Know {H3045} ye that the LORD {H3068} he is God {H430}: it is he that hath made {H6213} us, and not we ourselves; we are his people {H5971}, and the sheep {H6629} of his pasture {H4830}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Be aware that ADONAI is God; it is he who made us; and we are his, his people, the flock in his pasture.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 100:3 serves as the theological bedrock for the preceding calls to joyful worship and thanksgiving, declaring the foundational truths of God's identity, humanity's origin, and the resulting covenantal relationship. It asserts Yahweh's unique deity, humanity's absolute dependence on Him as Creator, and the intimate, protective bond He shares with His people, whom He shepherds with tender care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 100 is uniquely designated as a "Psalm of Thanksgiving" (*todah* psalm) and stands as a vibrant call to universal worship. The preceding verses (1-2) issue imperatives to "make a joyful noise," "serve the LORD with gladness," and "come before his presence with singing." Verse 3 then provides the profound theological *reasons* for such worship, acting as a pivotal statement that grounds the joyful commands in the very nature of God and humanity's relationship to Him. It transitions from the *how* of worship to the *why*, setting the stage for the concluding affirmation of God's enduring goodness, mercy, and truth in verse 5. This structure emphasizes that true worship flows from a deep understanding and acknowledgment of God's identity and His actions towards His creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm was likely composed for communal worship, possibly for use in temple liturgy during times of thanksgiving or pilgrimage. The call for "all the earth" to worship suggests a universal scope to God's dominion, even as the psalm is rooted in Israel's specific covenant relationship with Yahweh. The imagery of "sheep of his pasture" resonates deeply with the agrarian and pastoral societies of the ancient Near East. In such cultures, the shepherd was a quintessential figure of authority, provision, guidance, and protection for the flock, embodying the care and responsibility a ruler or deity would have for their people. The concept of "his people" refers to the unique covenant established between Yahweh and Israel, distinguishing them as His chosen nation, set apart for His purposes, as detailed in passages like [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Treasured Possession").
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 100:3 encapsulates several core biblical themes. Firstly, it asserts **Divine Sovereignty and Uniqueness**, declaring "the LORD he is God," which underscores Yahweh's exclusive and supreme deity, distinguishing Him from all other gods. Secondly, the phrase "it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves" highlights **Divine Creation and Human Dependence**, establishing humanity's origin solely in God's creative act and refuting any notion of self-sufficiency or self-origination. This theme is foundational to understanding human identity and purpose, as seen in [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation of Humanity in God's Image"). Thirdly, the declaration "we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture" emphasizes **Covenant Relationship, Belonging, and Divine Providence**. "His people" speaks to an elected, covenantal identity, while "the sheep of his pasture" evokes the tender care, guidance, and provision of God as a benevolent Shepherd, a theme beautifully developed in [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd"). Ultimately, the verse frames **Worship as a Response** to these profound truths about God's nature and His relationship with humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yada'_):** This is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, experiential, and relational knowledge. It implies recognition, acknowledgment, and a personal acquaintance with God's character and actions. To "know" God in this biblical sense is to enter into a transformative relationship with Him, which then informs one's worship and life.
* **Made (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** This verb signifies to make, create, or do. In this context, it powerfully emphasizes God's active, intentional, and sovereign role in bringing humanity into existence. It points to Him as the sole agent of creation, highlighting humanity's complete dependence on Him for their very being.
* **Pasture (Hebrew, _mar'it'_):** This word refers to a grazing place, a feeding ground, or a pasture. It is rich with imagery of provision, sustenance, and security. When applied to God's people as "sheep of his pasture," it conveys the idea that God Himself is the source of all nourishment, protection, and guidance for His flock, ensuring their well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Know ye that the LORD he is God":** This is an imperative command, urging a conscious and decisive recognition of Yahweh's supreme and unique deity. It is a foundational theological statement, demanding that all acknowledge the one true God, setting Him apart from all other purported deities. This knowledge is the prerequisite for authentic worship.
* **"[it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves":** This clause emphatically attributes human existence directly and solely to God's creative act. The strong negation "and not we ourselves" refutes any idea of human self-origination, self-sufficiency, or the ability to create life. It establishes humanity's absolute dependence on the Creator, humbling human pride and asserting God's sovereignty over all life.
* **"[we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture":** This dual declaration defines the nature of humanity's relationship with God. "His people" signifies a covenantal bond, an identity of belonging to God through election and relationship. "The sheep of his pasture" is a tender and intimate metaphor, portraying God as the benevolent Shepherd who actively provides for, guides, protects, and cares for His flock, underscoring His faithful providence and humanity's dependent, cherished status.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 100:3 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound theological truths. The verse opens with an **imperative**, "Know ye," which functions as a direct command, demanding active recognition and acknowledgment from the audience. This immediately establishes the non-negotiable nature of the truths that follow. **Parallelism** is evident in the structure of the verse, particularly in the phrase "it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves," which uses **antithetical parallelism** to powerfully contrast God's creative agency with human inability. Similarly, "his people, and the sheep of his pasture" employs **synonymous parallelism**, reinforcing the concept of belonging and divine care through two complementary images. The most prominent **metaphor** is "the sheep of his pasture," which vividly portrays God as a caring Shepherd and humanity as His dependent flock, evoking images of protection, provision, and tender guidance. The use of emphatic pronouns in the Hebrew (הוּא עָשָׂנוּ וְלֹא אֲנַחְנוּ - *hu asanu v'lo anachnu*) also serves as a form of **repetition for emphasis**, underscoring God's exclusive role in creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 100:3 is a theological cornerstone, encapsulating truths that reverberate throughout the entire biblical narrative. It grounds worship in the ontological reality of God as the supreme Creator and humanity as His dependent creation, chosen for a covenant relationship. This verse provides the fundamental "why" behind all praise and thanksgiving, asserting that our very existence and identity are rooted in God's authorship and ownership. It moves beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment to call for a relational knowledge that transforms our understanding of self, purpose, and security, fostering humility and profound gratitude.

* [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")
* [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, God's Chosen People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truths of Psalms 100:3 offer a liberating and grounding perspective for our lives. To truly "know" that the LORD is God, our Creator, and our Shepherd dismantles the illusion of self-sufficiency and the burden of self-creation. It frees us from the relentless pursuit of identity and worth in fleeting external validations, rooting us instead in the unchanging reality of God's design and ownership. This knowledge fosters humility, recognizing our dependence, and cultivates deep gratitude for the gift of life and the constant, tender provision of our Shepherd. In a world often marked by anxiety and striving, understanding that we are "His people, and the sheep of His pasture" provides immense security, purpose, and belonging. It calls us to live lives of worship, not as a burdensome duty, but as a joyful, natural response to the One who made us, sustains us, and guides us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does knowing that God "made us, and not we ourselves" impact your sense of self-worth and purpose in a world that often emphasizes self-creation?**
* **In what specific ways do you experience God as the "shepherd of your pasture" in your daily life, providing guidance, protection, or sustenance?**
* **How does the truth of belonging to God's "people" influence your sense of community, responsibility, and identity within the broader body of believers?**

### FAQ
**Question: What is the significance of "not we ourselves" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "not we ourselves" is a powerful and emphatic negation that directly challenges any humanistic or self-sufficient worldview. It unequivocally states that humanity did not come into existence by its own power, will, or evolutionary process. Instead, our very being is a direct result of God's deliberate, creative act. This negates human pride and self-origination, establishing our absolute dependence on the Creator for our existence. Theologically, it also lays the groundwork for understanding our need for divine redemption, as we cannot save ourselves any more than we can create ourselves (cf. [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). It underscores that our identity, purpose, and destiny are found in Him, not in ourselves.

**Question: Is "his people" limited to ancient Israel, or does it apply more broadly?**

Answer: While "his people" in the Old Testament primarily referred to the covenant nation of Israel, whom God chose and set apart from all other nations (e.g., [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Treasured Possession")), the New Testament expands this concept significantly. Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue are grafted into God's family, becoming spiritual heirs of the promises made to Abraham. The Apostle Peter explicitly states that believers are now "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Identity of Believers")). Therefore, the spiritual fulfillment of being "his people" now encompasses all who are united to Christ by faith, forming the universal Church, the new covenant people of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound declarations of Psalms 100:3 find their ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When the psalmist proclaims, "it is he that hath made us," this truth points directly to the Son, the eternal Word, through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")). Jesus is not merely a part of creation but the active agent of creation, the very means by which all things came into being ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Christ")). Furthermore, the tender image of "the sheep of his pasture" is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who declared Himself to be the "good shepherd" who "lays down his life for the sheep" ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). He is the one who gathers His "other sheep that are not of this fold," bringing them into His one flock ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus and His Other Sheep")), leading them to abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")), and ensuring their eternal security. Through His atoning sacrifice, we are not only His creation but also His redeemed people, purchased by His blood ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness")), and eternally belonging to Him, the "chief Shepherd" ([1 Peter 5:4](/1_peter/5-4 "1 Peter 5:4 - The Chief Shepherd")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 95:6

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Psalms 95:7

¶ For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 119:73

¶ JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.