Reading 17—Our “Blueprint” for the Christian Life
Psalm 100

READ PSALM 100

Many Bible commentaries cite this psalm as the background of The Doxology (Praise God from whom all blessing flow) and the familiar hymn “All Creatures who on earth do dwell”. Some of my earliest memories of this psalm go back to the two-room elementary school of my childhood in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The practice back then was to read a psalm each morning before the start of class. The teacher read the psalm in the younger grades, but students read it in grades 5 to 8. Since this psalm contained only five verses it was often chosen to be read, and I heard it on many mornings. I must admit too, that when it was my time to be the reader, I chose psalm 100!

What struck me as I studied this message again these many years later, is that this psalm is a summary of what our Christian life ought to be about: worship, singing, and offering thanks; accompanied on our journey by our Good Shepherd who loves and sustains us. Worship is central to our faith and we are encouraged to come forward singing. Those of us in the Lutheran tradition treasure the great hymns of our faith: “A Mighty Fortress;” “Children of the Heavenly Father;” “Gather Us In;” and many others. We do make a “joyful noise unto the Lord.”

We come each week to worship, sing, hear the Word, give thanks, share in a meal, and then go forth. We have the great assurance that wherever we go and whatever valleys and deserts we may face on our life’s journey, He loves us and is with us helping to show the way—our “blueprint” for living.

To Consider

Do you have any specific memories of this psalm?

Was there a time in your life when these words really spoke to you?

Merciful God, we give you thanks for all the blessings in our lives and for the gift of song. We pray that you would continue to guide us in all that we do. Amen.

Bill Oelkers, (Mt. Pisgah, Hickory) grew up in Pennsylvania and was active in Lutheran Student ministry at Penn State where he majored in Accounting. He worked for the federal government in Washington D.C. for more than 35 years before retiring to Hickory with his late wife. A member of the Synod Campus Ministry Committee, and long-time church treasurer, he has one daughter and two college-aged granddaughters.