Make a Joyful Noise – Psalm 100

In the church I grew up in as a child I remember reciting this psalm often.  It made me feel good inside.  Making a joyful noise, being glad to serve God, being identified as His people and the sheep of His pasture, gave me comfort.  Maybe it didn’t hurt that it was a short psalm and it was easy to concentrate on the whole thing.  I still find it comforting.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!  Serve the LORD with gladness!  Come into his presence with singing!  Know that the LORD, he is God!  It is he who 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 forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.  (Psalm 100 ESV)

God encourages exuberance in worship and I tend to being reserved, but part of that joyful noise is singing in His presence.  Why not?  He is our God who made us and adopted us as His people.  He deserves our thanks and praise because He is good, He is loving, and He keeps His promises to us forever.  What a wonderful God!