Psalm One Hundred
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
A Psalm of praise.
A Psalm of praise. Although the book of Psalms has been called “the Book of the Praises of Israel, this is one of the only two psalms with this specific heading. The word used here for “praise” is more commonly translated “thanksgiving” and is so rendered in Psalm 100:4. The other “Psalm of praise” is Psalm 145.
Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
not we ourselves. The sense of this command is: “Learn without question that Jehovah is the Creator God.” Contrary to evolutionary theory, which views man as the pinnacle of the evolutionary process and as having perfected his own evolution once he evolved bi-pedality, it was God alone who made us, not we ourselves!
sheep of His pasture. The Lord is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Note also Psalm 95:7, as well as Psalm 23:1, Isaiah 40:11; etc.
bless his name. This exhortation ties nicely back with Psalm 95:2. Also compare Psalm 95:1 and 100:1; as well as Psalm 95:7 with Psalm 100:3. The six psalms 95-100 comprise a unit with the common theme of the coming universal reign of the Creator. Note further the sequential assertions that God made the sea and the dry lands (Psalm 95:5), God made the heavens (Psalm 96:5), and God made us (Psalm 100:3)!
his mercy is everlasting. This concluding verse in the sextet of triumph psalms (95-100) looks forward throughout eternity, as God's goodness and mercy and truth continue forever.
truth endureth. On mercy and truth, see note on Psalm 25:10.