PSALM 100
The hymn “Old Hundredth” (“All People That on Earth Do Dwell”) is based on this psalm, as is the familiar “Doxology.” Thanking the Lord is something we must do with our lives as well as with our lips. How shall we do it?
By serving (2). “Enter to worship—depart to serve” should be written clearly above the door to the church sanctuary. Too many people serve themselves and not the Lord, and too often we do not serve the Lord “with gladness.” The Lord loves a cheerful servant.
By submitting (3). As creatures, we submit to the Creator who made us. As sheep, we submit to the Shepherd who died for us and now leads us in His paths. He not only made us, but He is making us as we yield to Him (
By sacrificing (4–5). As priests, we are privileged to offer spiritual sacrifices to the Lord (
“Old Hundredth”
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His folk, He does us feed;
And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise,
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud and bless His name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
William Kethe
(Published 1560–61)