Psalm 100:2 Commentary

Worship is service — but service flavored with gladness. The psalmist calls us to come before God's presence with singing, not with grim duty. The verse rebukes both joyless religion and joyful irreverence. We serve gladly, and we sing reverently.

Israelites approached the tabernacle with singing as they entered the courts. Levites were appointed to lead song (1 Chronicles 16). The 'service' here is liturgical — worship as the central work of God's people, performed with covenantal joy.

'Serve' (ivdu) — render service; also 'worship.' In Hebrew, work and worship overlap. 'Gladness' (simchah) — joyful gladness. 'Singing' (renanah) — exultant song, ringing cry. Coming into God's presence is described as a sung approach, not a silent shuffle.

God commands joy because He is good. Gloomy service insults the Giver of all gifts. To serve with gladness is to display the goodness of the One served. This is doxological apologetics: glad worship testifies to a glad God.

Examine your motives in serving God — duty alone, or duty saturated with delight? Repent of joyless religion. Receive the Lord's goodness afresh and let it overflow in song. Sing on the way to church, at chores, on the commute. The Lord welcomes a singing approach.