Psalm 100 (KJV): Full Text, Meaning & Prayer
Read Psalm 100 in the King James Version, learn what each verse means, and pray a short prayer of thanksgiving based on this joyful psalm of praise.
Psalm 100 (King James Version)
A Psalm of praise.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 100:1-5, King James Version
A Prayer Based on Psalm 100
Lord God, I come to You today with a grateful heart.
You made me, and I belong to You. You lead me like a shepherd leads his sheep, and You have never once left me without care.
Teach me to serve You with gladness and not with complaint. Open my lips to praise You, even on the days when I am tired, and help me notice the many good things You place in my path.
You are good, Lord. Your mercy has no end, and Your faithfulness reaches from one generation to the next. Thank You for my family, my faith, and this new day.
Let my whole life be a song of thanks to You. Amen.
Short Version
Lord, You are good and Your mercy is everlasting. I am Yours, and I thank You with all my heart. Amen.
What Psalm 100 Means
Psalm 100 is one of the shortest and best-loved psalms of thanksgiving. The King James Version labels it "A Psalm of praise." Its five verses move from a call to worship, to the reason for worship, and finally to the goodness of God himself.
Verses 1-2: the invitation. The psalm opens with a shout. "Make a joyful noise" is not a request for perfect singing; it is a call to glad, wholehearted praise. It is addressed to "all ye lands," so the invitation is meant for every people, not only one nation. To "serve the LORD with gladness" means that our work and obedience can be offered with joy.
Verse 3: who we are. Here we are reminded of two truths. God is God, and we are not. He made us, and we belong to him. The image of sheep and shepherd is a gentle one: a flock is guided, fed and protected. Christians often hear in it the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Verse 4: how we come. The psalm pictures pilgrims walking into the temple through its gates and courts. We are told to come "with thanksgiving" and "with praise." Gratitude is the doorway into prayer.
Verse 5: why we praise. The reason is simple: the LORD is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth lasts through all generations. We praise not because everything is easy, but because God does not change.
When to pray it: many people read Psalm 100 in the morning to begin the day with thanks, before a meal, at Thanksgiving, or whenever they want to turn from worry to gratitude. It takes less than a minute, so it is easy to learn by heart.
Scripture to Pray With
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalm 95:2 (KJV)
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:1 (KJV)
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 (KJV)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 100 about?
Psalm 100 is a short psalm of praise and thanksgiving. It calls everyone to worship the LORD with joy because he made us, he shepherds us, and his goodness and mercy never end.
What does "make a joyful noise" mean?
It means to praise God with glad, wholehearted sound. The point is joy and sincerity, not musical skill.
When should you pray Psalm 100?
Any time you want to give thanks. It is a natural psalm for the morning, before meals, at Thanksgiving, and when you need to move from worry to gratitude.
Is Psalm 100 used in Catholic prayer?
Yes. Psalms are part of Catholic worship and the Liturgy of the Hours, and Psalm 100 is a well-known psalm of thanksgiving. Catholic Bibles number some psalms differently, but the text can be prayed by anyone.
Who wrote Psalm 100?
The King James Version gives it only the title "A Psalm of praise." It does not name an author, so we leave the question open.
Last updated 2026-11-01