Bible Commentaries
Psalms 100

Introduction

C.

This liturgic psalm, which as a hymn is so universally known and loved, is composed of four verses of triplets. Even when performed in the Temple, amid the exclusive notes of Judaism, its opening words must have inspired something of that catholic sentiment which pervades a congregation when singing what we know as the “Old Hundredth.”

Title.—Of praise.—Better, for thanks, or, possibly for the thankoffering, i.e., especially adapted for that particular ceremony. At all events it is a liturgical direction. LXX., “for (Vulg., in) confession.”

Verse 1

(1) Make a joyful noise.—See Psalms 98:4.

All ye lands.—Or, all the earth.

Verse 3

(3) And not we ourselves.—Most commentators now prefer the reading “His we are,” as keeping the parallelism better, besides having great MS. support. The concluding part of the verse is an echo of Psalms 95:7.