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Psalms 100:4

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Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Enter {H935} into his gates {H8179} with thanksgiving {H8426}, and into his courts {H2691} with praise {H8416}: be thankful {H3034} unto him, and bless {H1288} his name {H8034}.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, enter his courtyards with praise; give thanks to him, and bless his name.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name.

Commentary

Psalm 100:4 is a vibrant invitation to worship, emphasizing the posture of the heart in approaching God. It calls believers to enter God's presence not with demands or complaints, but with a spirit of profound gratitude and adoration.

Context

Psalm 100 is unique as the only psalm explicitly titled "A Psalm of Thanksgiving" (Hebrew: Mizmor l'Todah). It is a universal call to worship, inviting all the earth to acknowledge the Lord as God. Verse 4 specifically describes the manner of entry into God's sacred dwelling place – metaphorically the Temple in Jerusalem, with its physical "gates" and "courts" where worshippers would gather. This verse serves as a guide for how the people of Israel, and by extension all believers, were to approach the divine presence, highlighting thanksgiving and praise as essential elements of true worship, preparing the heart for communion with the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Access Through Gratitude: The primary message is that thanksgiving and praise are the keys to entering God's presence. It's not merely a physical act of stepping into a building, but a spiritual disposition that acknowledges God's goodness and provision.
  • Worship as an Intentional Act: The imperative verbs "Enter," "be thankful," and "bless" underscore that worship is an active, deliberate choice, not a passive feeling. It requires a conscious effort to direct one's heart and voice towards God.
  • Blessing God's Name: To "bless his name" means to declare His inherent goodness, holiness, and glory. It's an act of acknowledging who God is in His essence, not just what He has done. This elevates worship beyond mere appreciation to deep adoration for His character.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "thanksgiving" is todah (תּוֹדָה), which often refers to a thank offering, a specific sacrifice brought to the Temple to express gratitude. "Praise" is tehillah (תְּהִלָּה), a spontaneous outburst of adoration, from which the word "Hallelujah" (Praise the Lord) derives. The phrase "bless his name" (baruch shemo) is a powerful declaration of God's inherent blessedness and majesty, recognizing His worthiness of all honor.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 100:4 serves as a timeless principle for approaching God. While we no longer enter a physical temple, we are called to enter His presence through Christ, our great High Priest. This verse teaches us that our spiritual "gates" and "courts" should be filled with hearts of gratitude and voices of praise. In our personal devotion and corporate worship, cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving can transform our perspective, reminding us of God's unchanging love and faithfulness. It encourages us to give thanks always for all things, recognizing that every good gift comes from Him and that praise is a fitting response to His boundless grace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Colossians 3:16 (48 votes)

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

  • Colossians 3:17 (48 votes)

    And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

  • Hebrews 13:15 (38 votes)

    By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

  • Psalms 103:1 (26 votes)

    ¶ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

  • Psalms 103:2 (26 votes)

    Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

  • 1 Chronicles 29:13 (25 votes)

    Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

  • Psalms 116:17 (22 votes)

    I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.