Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalms 100:1-5
Though the world looks at it scornfully, life in God’s service is the richest and most fulfilling life of all. To be sure, it presents its own unique challenges, but when viewed through the proper lens, those challenges pale in comparison to the blessings He provides (cf. Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). If we adopt the attitude and practices set forth in the 100th Psalm, we will not merely survive this life of service, but we will truly thrive in it as each day is lived in awe of God’s goodness and bountiful provisions. In this discussion, we will ponder the elements of a proper attitude towards God and our service to Him as we examine some of His character traits which warrant those attitudes.
Seven interlocking principles are named to describe the manner of service we ought to render. First, we express joy towards the Lord (vs. 1). Derek Kidner argues this “joyful shout” indicates the homage directed at one’s approaching king. Second, we serve Him with gladness, not drudgery (vs. 2; cf. Malachi 1:6—7, 12-14). Even secular studies show the value of service for the heart, echoing the truth Jesus set forth (Acts 20:35; https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/giving-rather-than-receiving-leads-to-lasting-happiness-study.html). Third, we come before Him with singing (vs. 2). One of the greatest ways to express and mold the content of the heart is in song (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 13:15). Numbers four through seven all pertain to attitudes of gratitude which will facilitate all of the above (vs. 4). As we ponder these kinds of directives, it is important to recall that every commandment of God is to the benefit of His people (Deuteronomy 6:24; Hebrews 12:10).
To enable fulfillment of the directives named above, the Psalm provides key character traits which make God worthy of this homage, praise, gratitude, etc. The Psalmist gives us four traits which remove all doubt in this vein. First, He is God, our Creator and sustainer (vs. 3). We owe our very existence and subsistence to Him (cf. Acts 14:17; Hebrews 1:3). We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Second, He is good (vs. 5). This is not merely utilitarian good (i.e. useful for some specific purpose), but it is His intrinsic goodness in view (Matthew 19:16-17). He is the source of every good thing we enjoy (James 1:17). Third, His mercy is ever-present (vs. 5). You and I ought to be, and I believe we are, merciful. However, your mercy and mine is not as predictable and dependable as God’s mercy. He is always a God of mercy, and where would any of us be if this were not so? Fourth, His truth endures to all generations (vs. 5). Again, you and I ought to, and I believe truly try to be truthful. But again, our truthfulness is subject to faltering. What kind of life would this be if the God who spoke this universe into existence were fickle as we human beings tend to be?
When we add it all up, the might, benevolence, goodness, mercy, and truthfulness of God warrants our constant praise and thanksgiving. May we keep these truths in view as we seek to be better servants in His kingdom. He is worthy of the effort every minute of every day, and we will reap the eternal benefits of this service if we hold fast until the end (Galatians 6:9-10).