This refreshingly direct psalm calls us to rejoice in the Lord, and reminds us why we gladly give him thanks and praise. (‘Jubilate’, the psalm’s old title, simply means ‘rejoice’.)   

First, the Lord is global. The whole world is summoned to join in (v 1). Secondly, the Lord is good news. He touches our emotions deeply and happily. He generates joy, gladness and singing (v 2). Thirdly, the Lord is God (v 3), sovereign in the affairs of heaven and earth. Just as he fashioned Israel to be his people, so we too belong to him, and he is our shepherd. Fourthly, the Lord is for ever (v 5). His goodness is a constant, and his loving commitment to us is unshakeable. He will prove true to us to the end of time. There is so much to praise him for.    

Both praise and thanks are necessary in healthy human relationships. It is all too easy to praise someone, say for good work or a special kindness, but omit to thank them. In view of what we know of the Lord’s sovereignty and kindness, the psalmist insists that we make a point of praising and thanking him (twice in verse 4). May our devotion to the Lord be like the psalmist’s – joyful and grateful.        

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.’¹ We receive you, we acknowledge your goodness and we give you thanks that your coming sets us free for joy.

We live in a messy and often painful world. Personally and communally we face the trauma of loss, the disappointment of unfaithfulness, the senselessness of violence, the unfairness of injustice. They cause us deep anxiety, frustration and despondency. The psalms do not ignore this aspect of life: they provide us with words to express our troubled mindset. However, they also recognise that lamenting and soul-searching need to be counterbalanced by a heart of joy. Not a manufactured, forced joy, but one that arises from reflecting on the gratitude we owe to God. Psalm 100 calls us to a joyful response, without hesitation or reluctance. 

There are reasons to shout and sing, to be glad and thankful. Everyone (‘all the earth’, v 1) can and should join the chorus. No one should be left out of this joyous celebration. After all, the darker side of life does not mean we are victims of fate and inexplicable forces. There is a God and he is the covenant-making Lord who creates people and makes them his own. Our universe is not some impersonal place, meaningless and random, with us as insignificant bags of molecules that have a brief and lonely stay. The God who made it also tends it, like a good shepherd caring for each of his flock. We derive our identity and value from the one who has proved to be ‘good’ (v 5), one who has patiently stuck with us in faithful love. Even the rough times are interpreted through this lens of goodness, knowing that there is a bigger purpose at work. Jesus expressed his desire that we know his joy and that our joy may be complete.² That joy starts with the words, ‘I have loved you’.³

What truly brings you joy? Give thanks to God as the giver of every good gift, for the joy he brings. How can you share this joy with others?

¹ Isaac Watts, 1674–1748  ² John 15:11  ³ See John 15:9