- A psalm used in the temple to accompany sacrifices of praise.
- Similar Psalms: 47; 93; 95-99.Celebrating God’s kingship, sovereignty, majesty, etc.
- “God is not merely Creator and Ruler of the world. He is also Founder, Guardian, Lord, and Shepherd of His Church. His people should exhibit their sense of this relation, and especially give it expression in public worship, in order that all the world may discover that this God is the only God, to adore whom, men of all lands should unite with the Church.” – John Peter Lange et al., A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Psalms (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 515.
- “We have here, 1. A strong invitation to worship God; not that God needs us, or any thing we have or can do, but it is his will that we should serve the Lord, should devote ourselves to his service and employ ourselves in it; and that we should not only serve him in all instances of obedience to his law, but that we should come before his presence in the ordinances which he has appointed and in which he has promised to manifest himself (v. 2), that we should enter into his gates and into his courts (v. 4), that we should attend upon him among his servants, and keep there where he keeps court. In all acts of religious worship, whether in secret or in our families, we come into God’s presence, and serve him; but it is in public worship especially that we enter into his gates and into his courts. The people were not permitted to enter into the holy place; there the priests only went in to minister. But let the people be thankful for their place in the courts of God’s house, to which they were admitted and where they gave their attendance.” – Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 887.
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
- This psalm was sung as people approached and entered into the temple for worship. See verse 4a.
- “Make a joyful noise” – One word in Hebrew which means “raise the noise”, or “to shout”. We might say, “sing loudly”.
- “to the Lord” – God’s creation wasn’t meant to celebrate haphazardly, but to celebrate with one focus. Our celebration should be directed to The Lord. APP: It is often most easiest to celebrate when you’re in the presence of that which you wish to celebrate. Consider watching football on TV vs going to watch one in person.
- “all the earth” – An all inclusive call. “All y’all” or “everybody up in here”. Maybe not now, but one day it will be. APP: Consider this your invitation to join in this choir.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing