Psalm 100:1-5 - Grounds for Thanksgiving

Psalm 100

Grounds for Thanksgiving

Introduction

To have grounds for anything means to have just cause or a reason for something. It means “the basis for some action or decision.”

For example, there are :

grounds for divorce

grounds for annulment

grounds for a restraining order

grounds for a harassment lawsuit

grounds for impeachment

grounds for termination

- Here in today’s message the Psalmist gives us GROUNDS FOR THANKSGIVING.

vv 1-2

-Shout

“signal with loud noise, i.e., make a loud, public noise that signals a feeling or a future action”

“in context, this can refer to blowing an instrument (like a trumpet) to signal the start of a battle, or refer to a verbal shout for joy or worship...”

“shout in triumph...”

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) 1997 : n. pag. Print.

- Worship. Expression of reverence and adoration of God.

- worship, serve, minister, work in ministry, i.e., give energy and devotion to God...

The 1500 years from the days of Abraham to the time of Ezra (c. 1900–450 bc) saw many great changes in the form of worship in ancient Israel.

- Abraham, the wandering nomad, built altars and offered sacrifice wherever God appeared to him.

- In Moses’ time the tabernacle served as a portable sanctuary for the Israelite tribes journeying through the wilderness.

- Solomon founded a lavish temple in Jerusalem which lasted more than three centuries until its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 bc.

- When the Jews returned from exile they built a new temple which, though less splendid than its predecessor, at least until Herod the Great renovated it, has served as the center of Jewish worship to this day.

- Though all the temple buildings were destroyed by the Romans in ad 70, the foundations remained, and by the western (wailing) wall the Jews still pray.

If the form of worship changed with times and situations, its heart and center did not. God revealed himself to Abraham, promising that his children would inherit the land of Canaan. Abraham demonstrated his faith through prayers and sacrifice. Throughout the biblical period listening to God’s Word, prayer, and sacrifice constituted the essence of worship. The promises to Abraham were constantly recalled as the basis of Israel’s existence as a nation and its right to the land of Canaan.

Modern people tend to restrict worship to what happens in church on Sunday. Ancient Israel had a much broader concept of worship, offering worship in the home as well as in the temple several times a day, not merely on the sabbath and at great festivals. Worship involved both the individual family and the whole nation.

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) 1997 : n. pag. Print.

Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Worship.” Baker encyclopedia of the Bible 1988 : 2164. Print.

v. 3 - We have grounds for thanksgiving because of WHO HE IS, and WHO WE ARE and WHAT HE HAS DONE!

- His proper name is Yahweh: Jehovah, the Lord as an euphemism for Adonai; the name of the one true God, with a focus on sure existence and His relationship to his covenant persons and peoples (promise keeper)

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) 1997 : n. pag. Print.

Cp. Ps. 46:10, “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

“God made us/caused us to be/created us”

We belong to God!

v. 4 - Enter His - gates, courts

cp. Ps. 42:1-4, “” (gates)

“panting for God” - desiring, leaning toward Him

thirsty for God - in need of water; dry and parched...

Cp. Ps. 96:8, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.”

v. 5 - We have grounds for thanksgiving because of WHO HE IS, and WHAT HE DOES!

GOD IS GOOD (pleasant…to the senses)

GOD IS NOT JUST THE GOD WHO EXISTS, BUT THE GOD WHO MUST BE EXPERIENCED!

Cp. Ps. 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth (finds refuge) in him.”

CONCLUSION

We have GROUNDS to PRAISE THE LORD...