"A Psalm for giving thanks.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."
Psalm 100
The message of this Psalm, hallowed in the worship of the Scottish Kirk for countless generations, is a very simple one, with a simple message, and the commentators are quick to point out that it is very similar to the first half of Psalm 95, and reminiscent of it. It is a call to joyful worship. And, just as it was said in our earlier notes that Psalm 95 was sung by worshippers on the way to the Temple, to celebrate the Sabbath, so also here, as 4 indicates, this Psalm was sung by a procession of worshippers as they drew near to the gates of God's House. And, like the earlier Psalm, it emphasises the joy of worship, and the exuberance of hearts that really feel what they are singing. Joyful tumult of the Temple worship, the shrill cries of gladness, the loud shouts of praise, the songs with musical accompaniment - this is what lies behind so many expressions in the Psalms. There is nothing anaemic about true worship - rather, an unashamed enthusiasm, and full-throated song. First of all, then, a lesson at the outset - here is a Psalm that was pure praise and thankful worship, and nothing else. It is interesting to see the sort of progression we have in this group of Psalms that we have been studying. The emphasis has been on the sovereignty of God over against the storms and pressures of life, and we have seen how that sovereignty prevails in the lives of those who trust in Him. But here there is no evidence of any storm or pressure, no conflict, no warnings or exhortations - only pure joy. And this may convey to us the message that there are times when the tribulations of life are simply eclipsed and pass out of view, in the larger reality of God's grace. These seasons of 'clear shining after rain' are God's gifts to His people. And we should make the most of them.