Psalm 100/Overview/Background
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Background Orientation for Psalm 100
Following are the common-ground assumptionsCommon-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/Ancient Near Eastern background. which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.
- In ancient Israel there was a specific temple sacrifice known as a thank-offering (Hebrew: תּוֹדָה), which would be performed to give thanks to YHWH for his loyalty (חֶסֶד) to Israel and all of his blessings (Jer 17:26; 33:11, 2 Chron 29:31; 33:16).
- After victory in military conflicts or any rescue from trouble, ancient Israelites would go up to Jerusalem to give thanks to YHWH for his salvation. For example, in 2 Chron 20, King Jehoshaphat is surrounded by enemies and cries out to YHWH, and YHWH answers and grants victory. Jehoshaphat and the people then "came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD" (2 Chron 20:28) to give thanks to YHWH and probably offer thank-offerings in the temple.
- A temple ritual gave structure to these thanksgiving ceremonies, including a ceremonial entrance through the temple gates (cf. Ps 100:2, 4), songs of thanksgiving (cf. esp. Ps 100:4-5), and the presentation of a thank-offering on the altar.
Background Situation for Psalm 100
The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon.
