Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Read it in contextPsalm of Thanksgiving
Start reading at Psalms 100:1 (Psalms 100:1 to Psalms 100:5).
Psalm 100 is a complete psalm and a distinct literary unit, serving as a call to worship and thanksgiving.
100:1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
100:2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
100:4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
100:5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 100:1–100:5): All lands are called to serve the LORD with gladness and enter His courts with thanksgiving. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is a universal call to acknowledge the LORD as the one true God, our Creator, and our Shepherd, and to worship Him with joyful thanksgiving and praise.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His identity as the sovereign Creator of all humanity ('it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves') and His intimate relationship with His chosen people, whom He cares for as a shepherd cares for his flock ('we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture').
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, characterized by direct address and commands to worship.
When
When was it written? The book of Psalms was collected over a period from approximately 1400 to 450 B.C. The specific date for Psalm 100 is not given, but it falls within this broader collection period.
When does the event take place? The 'event' is a call to worship and acknowledgment of God, which is an ongoing and timeless act. The psalm encourages continuous worship and recognition of God's nature.
Where
Where did it happen? The psalm is a call to worship that can be observed by 'all ye lands' (Psalm 100:1). It also mentions entering 'his gates' and 'his courts' (Psalm 100:4), which traditionally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for Israel.
Where was the author located? The authors of the Psalms were located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalms 100:1 to Psalms 100:5).
Start reading at Psalms 100:1. Psalm 100 is a complete psalm and a distinct literary unit, serving as a call to worship and thanksgiving.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 100 is a Psalm of Thanksgiving, fitting into a broader collection of psalms that call for praise and worship of the LORD. It serves as a concise and powerful declaration of God's identity and His relationship with His people, providing fundamental reasons for the joyful worship commanded in the preceding and following verses. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to Christ as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and lays down His life for them (John 10:14-16). Believers are His people and the sheep of His pasture, made by Him (Colossians 1:16) and belonging to Him through redemption (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers are called to acknowledge God as their sovereign Creator and Sustainer, recognizing that their existence and identity come from Him. This understanding should lead to joyful worship, glad service, and thankful praise, trusting in His everlasting goodness, mercy, and truth. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 100
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. These psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
interpretation
“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence…”
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
interpretation
“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;…”
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. These psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.