TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 100 verses 1–5
Here, I. The exhortations to praise are very importunate. The psalm does indeed answer to the title, A psalm of praise; it begins with that call which of late we have several times met with (Psa 100:1), Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands, or all the earth, all the inhabitants of the earth. When all nations shall be discipled, and the gospel preached to every creature, then this summons will be fully answered to. But, if we take the foregoing psalm to be (as we have opened it) a call to the Jewish church to rejoice in the administration of God's kingdom, which they were under (as the four psalms before it were calculated for the days of the Messiah), this psalm, perhaps, was intended for proselytes, that came over out of all lands to the Jews' religion. However, we have here, 1. A strong invitation to worship God; not that God needs us, or any thing we have or can do, but it is his will that we should serve the Lord, should devote ourselves to his service and employ ourselves in it; and that we should not only serve him in all instances of obedience to his law, but that we should come before his presence in the ordinances which he has appointed and in which he has promised to manifest himself (Psa 100:2), that we should enter into his gates and into his courts (Psa 100:4), that we should attend upon him among his servants, and keep there where he keeps court. In all acts of religious worship, whether in secret or in our families, we come into God's presence, and serve him; but it is in public worship especially that we enter into his gates and into his courts. The people were not permitted to enter into the holy place; there the priests only went in to minister. But let the people be thankful for their place in the courts of God's house, to which they were admitted and where they gave their attendance. 2. Great encouragement given us, in worshipping God, to do it cheerfully (Psa 100:2): Serve the Lord with gladness. This intimates a prediction that in gospel-times there should be special occasion for joy; and it prescribes this as a rule of worship: Let God be served with gladness. By holy joy we do really serve God; it is an honour to him to rejoice in him; and we ought to serve him with holy joy. Gospel-worshippers should be joyful worshippers; if we serve God in uprightness, let us serve him with gladness. We must be willing and forward to it, glad when we are called to go up to the house of the Lord (Psa 122:1), looking upon it as the comfort of our lives to have communion with God; and we must be pleasant and cheerful in it, must say, It is good to be here, approaching to God, in every duty, as to God our exceeding Joy, Psa 43:4. We must come before his presence with singing, not only songs of joy, but songs of praise. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, Psa 100:4. We must not only comfort ourselves, but glorify God, with our joy, and let him have the praise of that which we have the pleasure of. Be thankful to him and bless his name; that is, (1.) We must take it as a favour to be admitted into his service, and give him thanks that we have liberty of access to him, that we have ordinances instituted and opportunity continued of waiting upon God in those ordinances. (2.) We must intermix praise and thanksgiving with all our services. This golden thread must run through every duty (Heb 13:15), for it is the work of angels. In every thing give thanks, in every ordinance, as well as in every providence.
II. The matter of praise, and motives to it, are very important, Psa 100:3, Psa 100:5. Know you what God is in himself and what he is to you. Note, Knowledge is the mother of devotion and of all obedience: blind sacrifices will never please a seeing God. "Know it; consider and apply it, and then you will be more close and constant, more inward and serious, in the worship of him." Let us know then these seven things concerning the Lord Jehovah, with whom we have to do in all the acts of religious worship: - 1. That the Lord he is God, the only living and true God - that he is a Being infinitely perfect, self-existent, and self-sufficient, and the fountain of all being; he is God, and not a man as we are. He is an eternal Spirit, incomprehensible and independent, the first cause and last end. The heathen worshipped the creature of their own fancy; the workmen made it, therefore it is not God. We worship him that made us and all the world; he is God, and all other pretended deities are vanity and a lie, and such as he has triumphed over. 2. That he is our Creator: It is he that has made us, and not we ourselves. I find that I am, but cannot say, I am that I am, and therefore must ask, Whence am I? Who made me? Where is God my Maker? And it is the Lord Jehovah. He gave us being, he gave us this being; he is both the former of our bodies and the Father of our spirits. We did not, we could not, make ourselves. It is God's prerogative to be his own cause; our being is derived and depending. 3. That therefore he is our rightful owner. The Masorites, by altering one letter in the Hebrew, read it, He made us, and his we are, or to him we belong. Put both the readings together, and we learn that because God made us, and not we ourselves, therefore we are not our own, but his. He has an incontestable right to, and property in, us and all things. His we are, to be actuated by his power, disposed of by his will, and devoted to his honour and glory. 4. That he is our sovereign ruler: We are his people or subjects, and he is our prince, our rector or governor, that gives law to us as moral agents, and will call us to an account for what we do. The Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver. We are not at liberty to do what we will, but must always make conscience of doing as we are bidden. 5. That he is our bountiful benefactor. We are not only his sheep, whom he is entitled to, but the sheep of his pasture, whom he takes care of; the flock of his feeding (so it may be read); therefore the sheep of his hand; at his disposal because the sheep of his pasture, Psa 95:7. He that made us maintains us, and gives us all good things richly to enjoy. 6. That he is a God of infinite mercy and goodness (Psa 100:5): The Lord is good, and therefore does good; his mercy is everlasting; it is a fountain that can never be drawn dry. The saints, who are now the sanctified vessels of mercy, will be, to eternity, the glorified monuments of mercy. 7. That he is a God of inviolable truth and faithfulness: His truth endures to all generations, and no word of his shall fall to the ground as antiquated or revoked. The promise is sure to all the seed, from age to age.
"His mercy is everlasting." For He will not cease to be merciful, after He has freed you: it belongs to His mercy to protect you even unto eternal life. "His mercy," therefore, "is to everlasting: and His Truth from generation to generation" [Psalm 100:5]. Understand by "from generation to generation," either every generation, or in two generations, the one earthly, the other heavenly. Here there is one generation which produces mortals; another which makes such as are everlasting. His Truth is both here, and there. Imagine not that His truth is not here, if His truth were not here, he would not say in another Psalm: "Truth is risen out of the earth;" nor would Truth Itself say, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. [Matthew 28:20]
Continue studying Psalms 100:5 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalms 100:5 serves as the profound theological bedrock for the preceding calls to worship and joyful service, articulating the unchanging attributes of God that compel such adoration. It declares the Lord's inherent goodness, His unfailing and everlasting mercy (steadfast love), and His enduring truth and faithfulness that extends across all generations, providing an unshakeable foundation for trust and worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where the second and third clauses ("his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations") echo and expand upon the initial declaration of God's goodness, though each introduces a distinct and vital attribute. This repetition with variation serves to reinforce the multifaceted perfection and immutability of God's character. The structure also functions as a form of Climax, building from the general attribute of "goodness" to the more specific and expansive "everlasting mercy" and culminating in the "truth" that endures "to all generations," emphasizing the eternal and universal scope of God's attributes. Furthermore, the use of the causal "For" (כִּי, kî) at the beginning signals that the verse provides the Rationale or Foundation for the preceding calls to worship, making it a concise yet profound theological statement that underpins the entire Psalm's exhortation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 100:5 stands as a foundational theological statement, articulating the immutable attributes of God that serve as the basis for all worship and trust. It reveals a God who is not only inherently benevolent but also eternally faithful in His love and absolutely reliable in His word. This triune declaration of goodness, mercy, and truth forms the bedrock of covenant theology, assuring believers of God's unwavering character and commitment across history. It is a powerful affirmation that God's nature is the ultimate guarantee of His promises and the stability of His relationship with humanity, providing an unshakeable anchor in a changing world and a perpetual reason for praise.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 100:5 offers profound comfort and a compelling invitation to worship, transforming our understanding of God from an abstract concept to a tangible reality. Recognizing God's inherent goodness encourages us to see His hand in every blessing and even in difficult circumstances, trusting His benevolent design. His everlasting mercy assures us of His unfailing compassion and forgiveness, inviting us to approach Him with confidence, knowing His love endures beyond our failures. Furthermore, the enduring nature of His truth provides an unshakeable foundation for our faith in a world constantly shifting its values and certainties. This verse calls us to ground our lives, our hopes, and our worship in the unchanging character of God, motivating us to live lives of joyful gratitude and faithful obedience, confident that His promises are true for us and for generations to come.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that "the LORD is good"?
Answer: This phrase signifies God's intrinsic nature as benevolent, perfect, and the ultimate source of all good. It's not merely that He does good things, but that goodness is an essential attribute of His being. This means His character is pure, righteous, and always seeks the well-being of His creation, as seen in Genesis 1:31 where He declares His creation "very good."
How is God's "mercy" everlasting?
Answer: God's mercy, or chesedh (steadfast love/covenant faithfulness), is "everlasting" in that it is unending, unfailing, and constant throughout all time and circumstances. It is not a fleeting emotion but a fundamental aspect of His covenant character, ensuring His loyal commitment to His people despite their failings. This enduring quality is a consistent theme throughout the Psalms, such as in Psalm 136, where the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" is repeated 26 times.
Why is it important that God's "truth endureth to all generations"?
Answer: The enduring nature of God's truth (His faithfulness, reliability, and consistency) means that His character, His promises, and His word are unchanging and dependable for every generation. In a world where values and circumstances constantly shift, God's truth provides an unshakeable foundation and a stable moral compass. It assures us that what was true about God in ancient Israel is still true today and will be true for future generations, providing a basis for trust and hope, as promised in Numbers 23:19.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 100:5, with its declaration of God's inherent goodness, everlasting mercy, and enduring truth, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's goodness, for in Him "dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9). Jesus' life, ministry, and sacrificial death are the supreme demonstration of God's everlasting mercy (חֶסֶד, chesedh), for through Him, God's steadfast love was poured out upon humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to a fallen world (Ephesians 2:4-5). Moreover, Christ Himself is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), making God's eternal truth tangible and accessible. His resurrection secures the promises of God for all generations, confirming the reliability of God's word and establishing an everlasting covenant through His blood (Hebrews 13:20-21). Thus, the attributes of God celebrated in Psalms 100:5 are not abstract concepts but are perfectly revealed and eternally secured in Jesus, the living demonstration of God's good, merciful, and truthful nature for all time.