Psalms 95

Psalms 95:1-11

Praise the Lord and Tempt Him not Psalms 95:1-11 This psalm is deeply inwoven into the life of the Church, because of the worshipful strain which pervades it, and also because of the illuminating manner in which it is introduced into the argument of Heb 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-16. The works of God in creation are specially enumerated as incentives to praise. The sea, the hills, the deep places of the earth have often inspired the minstrel, but how much more the devout soul! Let us remember, also, when we are tossed on the seas of life, or are called to descend into valleys of shadow, that faith will still dare to sing. But in the second stanza of the psalm, from Psalms 95:6 onward, we are confronted with the sad story of Exo 17:1-16. There are Meribahs and Massahs in all lives, where we murmur against God’ s dealings and lose our inward rest. There is a sabbatism of the heart when the will is yielded to God’ s will, and the bean is cleansed from its wayward whims; when the very peace that fills the divine nature settles down on the heart. That experience is an entrance into God’ s rest. It remains unexhausted for all the people of God. Let us not miss it through default of faith!

Let us sing unto the Lord! Few of the Psalms have entered so deeply into the worship of the Church as this. It abounds in bold metaphors and comparisons, calculated to awaken praise as well as heart-searching. The two halves of the Psalm, consisting of five verses each, are united by a middle (Psalms 95:6), which summons to worship.

Psalms 95:1. The Rock of our salvation God is a Rock, by virtue of his steadfastness and unchangeableness.

Psalms 95:2. Let us come before his presence! His presence never casts a shadow, but prompts to joy. Live joyfully in the perpetual realization of that presence (Psalms 16:11; Exodus 33:14-15).

Psalms 95:4-5. The deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills Depths and heights, sea and land–are full of God. However high we climb or low we descend, in whatever condition we find ourselves, there is always certain evidence of God and a theme for praise.

Psalms 95:6. Oh come, let us worship! When the heart is full, it brims over in some outward act of devotion.

Psalms 95:7. We, the people of his pasture. His pasture, i.e., the flock whom He feeds and tends; his hand, i.e., with which He counts, guides and defends. Ah, remember how the Shepherd’s hand was pierced and still bears a scar!

Psalms 95:8-10. Harden not your heart! For the day of Meribah and Massah (R.V.) we must turn to Exodus 17:7. From the last clause of Psa 95:7 to the end will be found quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11.

Psalms 95:11.My rest is surely that into which God entered at creation. It has been the chosen object of search for all mankind; and it remains for all who believe in the true Joshua, Jesus our Lord (Hebrews 4:9-10).