Biblical Gratitude Psalm 100

Introduction

I believe this Psalm teaches us 4 things about our gratitude toward God.

Praise Him With Joy (vv.1-2)

The first thing this Psalm teaches us is that we should praise Him with Joy. Read verses 1 & 2 again.

Verse 1 says we are to make a joyful noise to the Lord and verse 2 says we are to come into His presence with singing. So what does it mean to make a joyful noise to the Lord?

Let’s turn back to Psalm 98; Read Psalm 98. Emphasize 4-9

Psalm 98:4 also says that we are to make a joyful noise to the Lord; a joyful noise is not just noise for the sake of noise; it’s not being obnoxiously loud; and it’s not being quiet. What makes a noise a joyful noise is not the volume, it’s not the quality of the sound, or the talent behind the person making the noise; but the heart the person has in making the noise.

Something we need to avoid is thinking of the worship team here as a band that we are just listening to. We aren’t just watching them worship, They are LEADING US in worship, not doing it FOR us. The whole congregation is to be worshipping.

It doesn’t matter if you have a good singing voice; and its ok if the worship team misses a note here and there; because when we are singing as a congregation we aren’t trying to put on a show where everything goes right; we’re trying to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

Of course we want to strive toward excellence; and give God our best; and try our hardest for Him; but what matters is the heart behind the worship, and not that you kept a perfect tone or didn’t miss a beat. What makes it worship rather than a performance; is the heart behind it.

Psalm 98 goes on in verses 7 & 8 to describe how the earth itself worships God with joyful noises; the seas roar; the rivers clap; and the hills sing for joy.

A stereotype that’s made of Baptists is that we are very somber and that worship is to be like a funeral; and there’s no joy allowed. That if you raise your hands in worship people will think you’re being irreverent.

And kind of an opposite stereotype is made of Pentecostals; that worship is making crazy noises and screaming, rolling around on the floor hysterically and running around the room. And what the Bible commands of us is in the middle of these two stereotypes.

We see in Psalm 100 & 98 that we are to make a joyful noise to the Lord; and the seas roaring and the rivers clapping are given as examples of loud joyful noises of praise being given to God for us to follow.

So, the first thing this Psalm teaches us is that we should praise Him with joy; and the next 3 things we learn will all be reasons why we should praise Him with joy. You’ll see that the next 3 verses will be supportive of verses 1 & 2; explaining why it is that God deserves to be praised with joy.

Because He is The Creator (v. 3)

The first reason the Psalmist gives for praising God with joy is because He is the Creator. Read verse 3 again.

We need to know who God is to be truly thankful for Him; this is through studying his word.

Because He’s Pardoned Us (v. 4)

The second reason the Psalmist gives for praising God with joy is because He’s pardoned us. Read verse 4 again.

How can we enter his courts with praise if we’re guilty sinners?

We should enter his courts in shame if justice were served

This is why we should give thanks to him and praise his name

Because He’s Good and Faithful (v.5)

The 3rd and final reason the Psalmist gives us for praising God with joy is because He’s good and faithful. Read verse 5 again.

Conclusion