Psalm 100 – Ask the Rabbi
Q. Why is Psalm 100 part of the morning prayers?
A. Its Hebrew name is Mizmor L’Todah, “A psalm of thanksgiving”.
It was recited daily in the Temple when the korban todah, the thanksoffering, was being sacrificed. It was omitted on Shabbat and festivals when there was no korban todah, though it was retained in the medieval Sephardi liturgy.
The thanksgiving theme makes it eternally relevant even in the absence of a Temple. The sages say (Lev. R. 9:7) that in time to come when other rituals may lapse, thanksgiving will remain.
Saying the psalm every day is a pledge that whatever the day may bring we will thank God and use it for the best.
