Psalms 100:1-5 - Homilies By C. Short

Worship.

I. THE CALL TO THE WORSHIP OF GOD .

1 . It is to be the worship of joyful song. ( Psalms 100:1 , Psalms 100:2 .) Not the worship of silent thought, but of glad utterance. True fear and joy not incompatible.

2 . It is to be universal worship. ( Psalms 100:1 .) "All ye lands," or "All the earth"—Gentiles as well as Jews.

3 . It is to be the worship of thankful gratitude. ( Psalms 100:4 .) In remembrance of all the Divine benefits and mercies received. No mention of confession of sin, or petition for blessing.

II. THE GROUNDS OR REASONS OF THE CALL TO WORSHIP .

1 . He is the only true God as distinguished from the gods of the heathen. ( Psalms 100:3 .) "Be ye sure that Jehovah he is God."

2 . He hath made us, and therefore we are his property. ( Psalms 100:3 .) "It is he that hath made us, and we are his. " And we cannot yet fully understand what use he is going to make of us.

3 . He is our Guide and Sustainer, our Shepherd. ( Psalms 100:3 .) "We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." We are dear to him as the sheep are to the shepherd. He is the good Shepherd pre-eminently. This is also the pre-eminent character of Christ.

4 . His goodness and mercy are everlasting. ( Psalms 100:5 .) Not only enduring and constant, but unbounded by any limits.

5 . He fulfils his promises from generation to generation. ( Psalms 100:5 .) "His truth" here means his faithfulness—the fulfilment of the word or promise that he has spoken.—S.