Psalm 100
This hymn has been, and still is, the delight of
Christian hearts. Its pervading note is a call to adoring praise. Praise is
due to our God, because of His sovereignty, and His tender care. May praise
ever fill our hearts and dwell on our lips!
1-2. "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you
lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing."
Throughout the length and breadth of the earth the
praises of God should be the joyful sound. The feeling should be mighty in
our hearts, and should swell in no feeble strain. It should be our chief joy
to render service to the Lord. His people are called to dwell in realms of
happiness. Their whole existence should give a good report of His gracious
dealings. His worship should be their constant pleasure-ground; it should
resound with notes of melody and thanksgiving. Eternity will be too short
fully to recount His praise. Let us not shorten our joy by neglecting to
begin on earth.
3. "Know that the Lord is God; it is He who has made
us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture."
It is good to call others to the knowledge of the Lord.
This is a wondrous theme, and well demands our utmost powers. In the first
place we should commend His glorious supremacy. But who can tell His essence
as God! His name is opened out to us in His blessed attributes. Each calls
us to proclaim Him in varied terms. We live on earth; wondrous is the
thought! Where did we acquire our being? His will called us from nothingness
to be living souls. The breath of life is entirely His gift. Let us never
forget that we are His by creative power. But we are His forever by His
covenant-engagements. He has chosen us to be His favored flock. He has
selected us to be the sheep of His pasture. It is through His distinguishing
grace that we are brought to revel in the rich pastures of Gospel-truth, and
to draw water with joy out of the wells of salvation.
4-5. "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."
Shall we not then throng His courts with praise, and
cause His sanctuary to resound with adorations! Again and again topics of
praise abound around us. With joyful lips let us speak of all His goodness.
It is unsearchable, unmerited, infinite, everlasting. Let us here
begin the testimony which can never end. From age to age His truth shall
live; from age to age let joyful lips proclaim it! Amen.