Psalm 100:5 (NIV)
“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100 is short, but it is sweeping. It does not address Israel alone. It calls all the earth to worship the Lord. That would have stood out to the original readers. Israel did have a unique covenant relationship with God, but this psalm makes it clear that God’s authority and worthiness extend far beyond one nation. He is Creator, not just of Israel, but of everyone. Because of that, everyone is invited to approach Him with thanksgiving and praise.
What is striking is what the psalm does not say. It does not tell us to praise God because He has given us prosperity, safety, or success. The reasons given are entirely God-centered. He made us. We belong to Him. He is good. His love endures. His faithfulness continues through all generations. Praise is not rooted in circumstances; it is rooted in who God is.
That exposes something in me. I am quick to praise God when I can point to visible blessings. But this psalm calls me to something deeper. Gratitude that depends on outcomes is fragile. Praise that rests on God’s character is steady. If He is worthy because He is Creator, Shepherd, good, loving, and faithful, then He is worthy whether life feels full or thin.
The proper response is simple, but not easy: praise God because He deserves it. Not as a religious obligation, and not merely as a reaction to blessings, but as a settled posture of worship. Today, that means intentionally thanking Him—not first for what He has done for me, but for who He is.