Thoughts for the Day

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have looked at Psalm 100 five times over the last six and a half years, and am rather amazed this morning to find I can say something new - definitely God-given! To remind anyone who has forgotten, this psalm is also called 'The Jubilate' and has been sung in many churches for centuries as a canticle (or song) during the morning act of worship. In the Book of Common Prayer it's called the 'Jubilate Deo!' and in the Common Worship prayer book 'Jubilate - A song of joy'. But it's much more than just a hymn of praise and joy to God. If we look at the words of the psalm we can see that the first three stanzas are full of commands to commit an action, and the fourth gives the reasons why we are to act. We are to:

• Make a joyful noise: if not with drums and stringed instruments, may we sing joyfully to God this day?
• Worship the Lord with gladness: how often do we turn to God with the cares of the world on our shoulders. May we just be happy in His presence?
• Know that the Lord is God: may we turn to God, confident we are indeed His children.
• Enter his presence with thanksgiving: may we give God our thanks for His gifts to us.
• Offer praise to God: we praise others for their achievements or qualities, what do we praise God for?
• Bless God's name: A name defines a person. 'Yahweh' defines the God who is righteous, holy, truthful, loving. etc and so we offer Him blessings.

We carry out all these commands because God loves us and longs for a closer relationship with us. "Jubilate everybody!"

Almighty God,
we lift our eyes from the ground
of our everyday preoccupations
to celebrate You this day.
May we put our wants and desires
on hold to praise and bless You.
As we turn to You in worship,
may we enter Your presence with thanksgiving
and bless Your holy name.
Amen.