Psalm 100:4
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving for temple worship. Verse 4 describes the manner of approaching God: through His gates with thanks and into His courts with praise.
What Does Psalm 100:4 Mean?
This verse describes how to come into God's presence, and the answer is gratitude. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise" pictures a worshiper approaching the temple, passing through the outer gates into the inner courts. The way to draw near is not empty-handed or grumbling, but with thanksgiving and praise. Gratitude is, as it were, the password that opens the gate.
The verse then states it plainly: "be thankful unto him, and bless his name." To "bless his name" is to speak well of God, to honor who He is. The repetition drives the point home -- thanksgiving and praise are not optional extras but the proper posture for coming to God. There is wisdom here for the worshiper. We often approach God preoccupied with our needs and complaints, but this verse trains the heart to begin with thanks. Entering with gratitude reorders our perspective, reminding us of all God has already done before we ask for more. The verse invites the reader to make thanksgiving the doorway into God's presence -- to come not as a beggar fixated on lack, but as a grateful child glad to honor the name of the One who has been so good.
In the Original Language
"Thanksgiving" renders the Hebrew todah, an expression of grateful acknowledgment; "bless" is barak, to kneel before and speak well of, here directed to God's name, His revealed character.
Cross References
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
- Philippians 4:6
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
- Psalm 95:2
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
- Hebrews 13:15
Application
Make thanksgiving the doorway into God's presence: begin your prayers by recalling what He has already done, entering with gratitude rather than only with requests.