Friday prior to Proper 6

 

 Psalm 100– This Psalm is suggested for next Sunday. The key verses is verse 3c “We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture” In light of our lessons we rejoice that we have this new found connection with the Savior, a connection caused by the Savior’s amazing grace and favor.

Psalms 93; 95-99 proclaim “The Lord reigns,” Psalm 100 is the thankful doxology. The reader is encourage to proclaim, “O be joyful.” Philip Melanchthon a contemporary of Luther wrote concerning this psalm, “ We are not born by accident, nor do we live…by our own thoughts and powers, but we live with God, who give4s us life and preserves us.”

Psalm 100 is certainly one of the most familiar psalms of the entire book of psalms finishing only second in familiarity to Psalm 23, the shepherd psalm.

The common Doxology (Lutheran Service Book 805) sung to the tune, Old Hundreth, finds its inspiration from this psalm. Forever joined together are the Church’s much loved song of praise and the psalm that calls for such praise. How unfortunate when we fail to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.  Yet, even then we know He is good. In fact, He gave His Good Shepherd Jesus, to make one day particularly good. We call it Good Friday.

We are the sheep of your hand, O Lord. Fill us with joyful praise as we seek to serve You. Amen

1 All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him and rejoice.

 

2 The Lord ye know is God indeed,
without our aid he did us make;
We are his flock, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.

3 O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his Name always,
for it is seemly so to do.

 

4 For why? the Lord our God is good,
his mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure

Collect for Proper 6 – Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of Your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will. Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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Image copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Prayers from the Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis