Shout for Joy
Five verses. Pure praise. It asks for nothing. It simply overflows.
Tap any verse number for what that verse means.
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know 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.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
The beloved psalm of thanksgiving (todah) that concludes the enthronement psalm series, Psalm 100 is a five-verse masterpiece of liturgical instruction and theological declaration. Its commands—shout, worship, come, know, enter, give thanks, praise—create a complete worship sequence. The central theological affirmation—'Know that the LORD is God; He made us, and we are His'—grounds worship in creation and covenant. The psalm concludes with the fundamental confession: 'The LORD is good; His lovingkindness endures forever.'
Designated as a psalm 'for the thank offering' (todah), it accompanied the thanksgiving sacrifice at the temple. Its universal call ('all the earth') and its placement after the enthronement psalms suggest it serves as the culminating invitation for all peoples to acknowledge God's reign.
The psalm's theological simplicity is its power. Three truths form its foundation: God made us (creation), we are His people (covenant), and He is good (character). The eternal duration of chesed and emunah (faithfulness) across all generations provides the basis for perpetual praise. The psalm's brevity ensures memorability, making it a portable summary of Israelite theology.
Psalm 100 strips worship to its essentials: joyful approach, humble acknowledgment of identity, and grateful praise rooted in God's enduring character. It serves as both gateway and summary for the entire psalmic worship tradition.
Tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and follow every cross-reference without losing your place.
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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.