Devine Scripture

Psalms 100:2

What does Psalms 100:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 100:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 100:2 means

Building upon the universal call, this verse specifies *how* to approach the Lord: with gladness and singing. "Serve Jehovah with gladness" implies that worship should not be a burdensome duty but a joyous privilege, stemming from a willing and cheerful heart. The instruction to "come before his presence with singing" further emphasizes this joyful demeanor, suggesting that musical expression is a natural and fitting way to draw near to God. It underscores that true service to the Lord is infused with delight and expressed through melodious praise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Give worship to the Lord with joy; come before him with a song.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Serve Jehovah with joy, come before him with singing.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I will understand in the unspotted way, when thou shalt come to me. I walked in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Serve Jehovah with joy: come before his presence with exultation.

Context

Following the broad invitation to make a joyful noise, this verse narrows the focus by detailing the *manner* of worship. It moves from the general concept of a "joyful noise" to the specific actions of serving with gladness and coming with singing. This progression prepares the reader for the deeper theological reasons for such worship, providing practical expressions of the initial command before explaining its basis.

v.1Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands.

v.2This passage

v.3Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 107:21

    Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!

  • Psalms 71:23

    My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises unto thee; And my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:2

    And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of Jehovah.

  • Deuteronomy 28:47

    Because thou servedst not Jehovah thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things;

  • 2 Chronicles 20:27

    Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for Jehovah had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

  • Acts 2:46

    And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

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