Bible-study Lesson on Psalm 95

Introduction

was written by an unknown Psalmist. People think it was written as a reminder for the Israelites of what their forefathers had been brought through by God, and how they hardened their hearts to Him.

Was thought to be used in worship during the Feasts of Tabernacles or Booths

The Psalm’s main theme is that of worship

What is biblical worship? Who is it for? Why is it for that person? Why is it important?

Reference 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

And the Lord said:

“Because this people draw near with their mouth

and honor me with their lips,

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Isaiah 29:13 ESV

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

while their hearts are far from me,

and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Who is worship for? Why is it for said person? Do we benefit at all from worship?

What else does bible say about worship and why God should be worshipped?

Hebrews 12:28–29 ESV

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Do we benefit at all from worship?

English Standard Version Chapter 15

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:11 ESV

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Passage

Vs. 1-2 Talk about the meaning of these verses. How Joyful noise and singing is one aspect of worship. One that everyone is familiar with. Talk about how important it is to be able to be in God’s presence and that we are called to be thankful first and foremost.

(ESV)

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Vs. 3-5 Talk about who we worship. What qualifies Him to be worshipped? He is a Great God, Great King, and Creator. He is a sovereign ruler. That is what a King is. He is above all gods. Meaning all other idols are far below Him.

Putting anything above God is irreverent to Him. It is a slap in His face, yet. He still shows us mercy and grace.

Vs. 6-7a Talk about the other overarching aspect of worship. To be low before Him. Not just in posture, but in ones heart and spirit. How this is just as needed as the first aspect. Both must live in harmony.

Also go over the comforting fact of us being God’s. He is our God. We are His sheep. We are in His hand. He is our Shepherd. That is a very personable thing. His watchful eye is on us. This should cause us to worship Him even more. All these different aspects of God should bring us to be in awe of Him and to worship Him.

Vs. 7b-11 Go in depth about this warning. About how awful the Israelites were to God. How they made a golden calf. Stephen in cites this story to relate to the modern day believers. They wanted to worship something they had created, which is essentially them worshipping themselves over God. Yet while this is a warning there is some encouragement to be had.

Application and Encouragement

We are to pursue and seek God above all else in everything we do. In our daily lives and daily activities we can worship God by being obedient to His word, by serving others and so on. Jesus says that the way we can show love to God is by obeying His commands as He did the Fathers. God is faithful to the end. If He has made us a part of His family, He will be faithful to keep us and to finish the work He has started within us that is mentioned in Philippians 1.