Psalms 100: The Maker welcomes his people through the gates

Psalm 100 is only five verses, but it compresses a complete movement into them. All lands are summoned to joyful noise, glad service, and singing before God’s presence. Then worship is given a foundation in knowledge: the Lord is God, he made the worshippers rather than the worshippers making themselves, and they are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Identity is received before the procession reaches the gates. Thanksgiving and praise then become the manner of entering the courts, not isolated religious activities scattered through the poem. The final “For” explains everything that came before it. The Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures to all generations. The act of entering may be brief, but the reason for entering stretches beyond the lifetime of every individual worshipper. Maker, Shepherd, goodness, mercy, and enduring truth all meet at the gate.