Psalm 95 - Praise the Great God and Take His Word Seriously

Introduction

What are the people of God to do always, individually and when the assembly together? The answer is worship. We are the worship and praise the God of heaven, our God. Worship is very important in the life of the believer. Worship re-orients our perspective. Worship places the LORD in his proper place, from our vantage point, and calls us to humility. The LORD is absolutely worthy of worship and obedience. He is the LORD and owner of all souls (Ezek 18:4) and is due allegiance from all creation. When we consider whom He is and what He has done for us, our hearts must bow to submission to His will and way. Anything else is wickedness and worthy of judgment. This is the message of psalm 95.

Background

Psalm 95 is a one of praise. It is a call to worship. Although we don’t have the specific declaration that the LORD reigns, it is clear in this psalm that Yahweh does. We don’t have a specific time frame or historical backdrop for this psalm. As with so many psalms this allows for Its universal ongoing relevance. This psalm is especially important because it teaches us how to give true worship. This psalm has two main parts: worship and warning. God is to be worshipped and His words are to be heeded. We can break this psalm to 5 parts:

The first call to worship (vs. 1 - 2)

Worship the LORD as the sovereign creator (vs. 3 - 5)

The second call to worship (v. 6)

Worship the LORD as the covenant God (v. 7a - c)

A strong warning against hardening the heart (vs. 7d - 11)

Exposition

Verses 1 - 2: The psalmist begins with a call to the faithful for joyous singing to Yahweh. The psalmist is calling for us, as Derek Kidner puts it, to “greet him here with unashamed enthusiasm as our refuge and rescuer”[1] Charles Spurgeon stated that we “above all things we must in our service of song take care that all we offer is with the heart’s sincerest and most fervent intent directed towards the Lord himself.”[2] Our singing is to be joyful with words of thanksgiving. The LORD is the savior and sustainer of His people. He saved and blessed them. This salvation is sure because it is founded upon the rock of ages. When Yahweh saves, no one can undermine it. He gave them the promised land. He dwelt with them in the tabernacle and temple. He forgive their sin and give them His law. We should never come into the presence of the LORD with anything other than an attitude of humble and reverent worship and gratitude.

Verses 3 - 5: The psalmist elaborates on the reasons for worshipping Yahweh. The LORD is God of gods. All powers in heaven and earth are subject to Him and must submit to His rule. The LORD is the creator and possessor of all creation. He formed all that there is in heaven and earth and creation is used by Him for His glory. His domain extends to all creation.

Verses 6 - 7c: This second call to worship calls us to submission. The people of God are to bow down in homage of Yahweh as creator and the one true and living God and their God. Israel then and the church now, Jew and Gentiles together, are the property of the LORD. Israel was redeemed with blood and the church via the blood of the lamb. He is due our ultimate loyalty as He has primary claim on our being. He, Christ Jesus, is the good shepherd and we are the sheep.

Verses 7d - 11: Here is where the dramatic shift that takes place. Yet it shouldn’t be that dramatic because these words of warnings actually flow naturally for what came before. If the LORD is the rock of our salvation, the sole creator God and God of Israel who owns us, everything He speaks we should do (cf Ex. 19:8). Singing without obedience is futile. What He commands we should do. When He calls us to trust, we must respond only with yes. When we don’t the consequences are severe. This is the message of the text.

The reference here seems to be to Ex 17:7. There Moses recounts how the people once again tested God concerning whether he would do what he promised. The LORD has already provided water and food. He promised to be with them and bring them into the promised land. Yet the people steadfastly refused to believe and obey the command of God. In essence they withheld true worship and obedience. Their hearts were hard and they didn’t listen. As a result the generation that came out of the Egypt died in the wilderness. Yahweh, the God of heaven and earth, is not to be treated lightly. When He speaks He is to be obeyed. To do otherwise is folly and will lead to destruction.

Bibliography

1. Kidner, D. (1975). Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 16, p. 376). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

2. Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 88-110 (Vol. 4, p. 164). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.