Psalm 100 is the conclusion of a series of psalms that are particularly useful as “call to worship” readings.This psalm uses seven imperative verbs to call us to worship. We are told to make a joyful noise, serve the Lord, come into his presence, know the Lord, enter his gates, give thanks to him, and to bless him.This psalm does not spend as much time telling why we should worship as it spends telling us to do so, but it does hint at the reasons along the way, and it plainly states it at the end.
We worship because he made us.
“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”(3).The creature ultimately owes everything to the creator.What is meant here is not just creation but also the call of Abraham and the deliverance from Egypt. He made them what they are.For us the wonder of our calling and deliverance is even greater than for Israel.
We worship because the Lord is good.
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (5).Goodness is characteristic of God.1
Chief among his good characteristics are his steadfast love and faithfulness.It is difficult to distinguish between these near synonyms.Perhaps the best we can do is to think of both having to do with sticking with us; the first emphasizing that God does so because of his love or mercy, the second emphasizing his faithfulness to his covenant promises.
From a New Testament point of view, our appreciation of his steadfast love and faithfulness ought to be all the greater.2
It is critical that our worship focus on his goodness. If we fail in this, worship so easily becomes self-advancement (and thereby self-destructive).
It is critical that we, as his image on earth, seek to develop goodness in our own lives — especially steadfast love and faithfulness.The steadfast love and faithfulness of God is not always easy to see. It is tempting to say, “It is an unfair shame.” We must learn to say instead,”My God is true.”
“The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness” (Isa 57:1-2).
We may not always understand God’s ways, but they are good. That is why we worship him.
Eswatini
1 Gen 1:4,9,10,12,18,25,31; Deu 1:25 4:21 8:7 8:10 9:6; Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2 Romans 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.