Psalm 100 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 100 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Verse 2Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Verse 3Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Verse 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
Verse 5For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Devotion
Unlike so many of the Psalms whose author is given as David or someone else, the source of this poem is anonymous. Yet, no matter who might have written it, the message is clear. It encourages us to shout out our praises to God. Even so, my mother certainly would have immediately clamped her hand over my mouth had I shouted in worship.
Even during this unprecedented time, with not only wars raging but COVID-19 also creating havoc, the psalmist invites us to pause, take a deep breath, and worship the One who created us and shepherds us. The Lord cares for us through this difficult time, as well as through other challenging experiences we encounter in our personal lives.
We have been created, chosen, and shepherded by the one God of the universe. Now that’s something to shout about! It’s all right, Mom.
Prayer
With gladness we shout to you, O Lord. With thanksgiving we sing joyful songs. For you are good and your love endures forever. Amen.