Psalm 100
To worship something or someone is to demonstrate their immense worth to you. When we are devoted, adoring, respectful and loving to that thing or person, it is a mark of how we value them or it.
When someone is so devoted to their favourite football team that they adorn their car window with a team sticker, their favourite mug has the club’s name on it, their front door is painted in team colours and they devote every Saturday afternoon to attending matches, we might call them a fanatic. But we could just as easily call them a worshipper. They hold the club, the players and the manager (however briefly) in high esteem; the stadium is treated as hallowed ground.
When we consider what worshipping God really means, we can look to the Bible for guidance, and in particular to the Psalms. There are many examples in the book of Psalms about how to worship: we can be joyful (Psalm 95), reverent (Psalm 95) or grateful (Psalm 136) in our worship. We can play music (Psalm 150), sing new songs and dance (Psalm 149) and even worship in lament (Psalm 130). When we offer God our sincere thoughts and feelings and demonstrate his importance in our every situation then we are true worshippers.
Psalm 100 includes some pretty good guidelines for worship:
‘Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.’ (v1)
That means you, too!
‘Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.’ (v2)
Joyful – not necessarily tuneful – songs!
‘Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.’ (v3)
Acknowledge his place in our lives.
‘Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.’ (v4)
Say thank you for all he has done.
‘For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.’ (v5)
Stand in awe of the Almighty.
So, are you a true worshipper? Here’s your opportunity to worship according to David’s plan in Psalm 100.
- Step 1: Come together with other worshippers.
You’re here, aren’t you?
- Step 2: Sing a song of praise with gusto.
Even if you’re not the best singer!
- Step 3: Speak aloud what God means to you.
(Ask group members to do so.)
- Step 4: Thank him for something that he has done for you.
(You could do this quietly, shout them out or make a list.)
- Step 5: Stop for a moment and consider the wonder of the Lord:
- His power
- His creation
- His gift of his son, Jesus
- His love that conquers the grave
- His faithfulness through all generations
(Pause for quiet reflection.)
PRAYER
Father God,
Today we gather as a group of your people, and we join with all creation in honouring you.
We acknowledge that you and you alone are worthy of all praise.
You are far more important than a prized possession, a family photo, a favourite hobby, or a football club.
We thank you for who you are.
We praise you because you are good beyond all our understanding.
We trust you for all that is to come.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
