The placement of Psalm 100 in the book of Psalms is most appropriate. A consistent thread running through Psalms 92-99 is the sovereignty of God. “You, Lord, are on high forevermore…The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty…the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods…Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved’…The Lord reigns…All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God…The Lord reigns” (Psalms 92:8, 93:1, 95:3, 96:19, 97:1, 98:3, 99:1). Because of this comprehensive truth, Psalm 100 exhorts us to “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing…Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (vv. 1-2, 4).
In the third verse of Psalm 100, four reasons are stated for giving thanks. They are:
- Because the Lord is God. “Know that the Lord, He is God.” This certain knowledge is that the supreme being of our universe is not fate, dumb luck, or blind chance; it is Jehovah. He is not a philosophy, a theory, an idea, or a leap in the dark. He is a person. He is the Person who has revealed Himself in nature and Scripture (Psalm 19).
- Because the Lord is our Creator. “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” Humanity has not evolved from lower life forms; it has been carefully crafted in the image of a higher life form. In physical and spiritual terms, we—not any idol—are the earthly manifestation of the great I AM.
- Because God has redeemed us. “We are His people.” We have been bought and brought out of slavery and have become His people. Our legal standing is not as His slave but as His son, His heir.
- Because God cares for us. “the sheep of His pasture.” Like sheep, we need continuous care, concern, and providence. Like a shepherd, He cares for His people. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
“Be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
