I.
I suspect this week’s reading is familiar to many of us.

Were you ever in “Vacation Bible School” and this was the “memory verse” for the day?

Even apart from that setting, I suspect it is (following Psalm 23) one of the most repeated Psalms.

So as we come to Psalm 100 this week, it might be more difficult to hear it afresh.

It might help for us to read it slowly, pausing for each phrase, so the words of that phrase can settle into our consciousness.

In any case, take your time with the Psalm and before we bring questions to it, let’s just read and reread it slowly to take it all in.

II.
Psalm 100 (NRSV)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

III.
How does the Psalm “introduce” itself to us?
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord … “

Hold onto that image for a few moments – “ … joyful noise …”

Do you associate any sound or sounds with making a “joyful noise”?

What do you hear?

IV.
Now, holding that phrase, “joyful noise,