Psalm Chapter 100

A Psalm of praise.

• Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

I don't know why we tend to allow so many distractions to keep us from studying the word of God because it is good and precious to walk in the word. I remember hearing about men in my own church history who could be called walking bibles.

Just think though, we all are capable of studying the word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit to give us understanding and become walking bibles. This means more than just memorizing scripture but allowing the Holy Spirit to give us understanding of the scriptures.

In the Psalms we learn of another way to walk in the Spirit by worship and praise. Make a joyful noise to the Lord.

When Moses returned down the mountain from talking with God Himself, he heard an strange noise from the crowds below. He knew that this noise was not a joyful noise to the Lord but riotous noise in worship of the golden calf.

There was a difference. Worshipping God in song and praise is more than just the type of noise we may hear at a sports event when our team scores a winning score. True worship in song and praise  is something that is beautiful to the heart of God. God seeks true, sincere worship and not just a loud tinkling noise without any substance.

God knows when our worship is in spirit and in truth or whether we are going through empty emotions. It is not in a certain place or facing a certain city, it is not in vain repetitions and memorized prayers, it is not in chanting and repeating the same words over and over until we are worked up in a frenzy, it is in worship that comes from deep within our soul and spirit. It is real, genuine and with love. Upbeat music can be used to stir up our inner soul and spirit within us. It can stir up evil as well as good. Humans have used drums, intruments to stir up people for evil purposes. That is why we need to make sure our worship music draws us into true godly worship and praise. Seek not to just work up a crowd to get a response. Instead seek to please the heart of God. Make sure the words glorify God, teach of Jesus and is not focused on self.

True worship that is with a thankful heart and one that has genuine love toward God in bad times as well as when things are going well, delights the heart of God. 

• John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
• 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Notice John 4:24 says to worship in spirit and in truth. It goes together. Not just spirit without truth. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth, never lies. So part of worship is to believe in the truth of God's word. False doctrine and true worship do not mix.

• Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Except for times when we are burdened for the lost or concerned because of the sins of our nation, family or church; true worship will bring joy. This joy is unexplainable. It can come when one is full of troubles also. Where is comes from and how it arrives is hard to explain to one who has never experienced it, but true worship will bring true joy. The temporary joy that comes when we have at a party or festival is not the same thing and that joy disappears when the first sign of trouble comes. The joy of the Lord is deeper and gives us peace in trouble. Walking with faith in God reminds us that our home here is temporary and our true treasure is in Heaven.

• Psalm 100:3 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.

We must remind ourselves of this daily so that we realize that life here is not what really counts.

• Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Murmuring and complaining makes God angry. He loves to see us thankful for everything we have instead of complaining for what we don't have.

• Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

God is the same today as when Moses walked the earth. Jesus is the same today as when He created the earth. What was sin then is sin now. What was good then is good now. He has not changed, we are the ones that change. If we are not walking where we should be with the Lord, He is not the one that moved away. DC

Psalm 101

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