Psalm 100 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 100 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Verse 2Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Verse 3Know 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.
Verse 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
Verse 5For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Devotion
“Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands, serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.” (v. 1)
Although the Holy Spirit can fill me with joy by means of a good sermon, or a heart-felt prayer, or the comfort of a beautiful portion of scripture: nothing can touch me more profoundly than the beauty of music. A beloved hymn seems to bypass all of my reasons for sorrow and complaint, and touch a spot that is beyond the reach of any word. The joy and gladness seems more pure, more immediate when it is embodied by music and song. Perhaps that’s why the Psalmist coupled “joyful” and “gladness” with “come before his presence with a song.”
Prayer
“Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee, Praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.” (v.1, LBW #551)