In this study, we looked at Psalm 95. The author is not identified, but part of the psalm is quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11, with the introductory words: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:” This is again a reminder that every part of the Scriptures is a message from God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, no matter who the human writer is.
Verses 1-7A of Psalm 95 are also sung in our Lutheran liturgy in the Matins Service (p.220-221, LSB) and in Morning Prayer (p.236-237, LSB). This son...
In this study, we looked at Psalm 95. The author is not identified, but part of the psalm is quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11, with the introductory words: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:” This is again a reminder that every part of the Scriptures is a message from God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, no matter who the human writer is.
Verses 1-7A of Psalm 95 are also sung in our Lutheran liturgy in the Matins Service (p.220-221, LSB) and in Morning Prayer (p.236-237, LSB). This song called the “Venite," the Latin word meaning “Come!” Psalm 95 calls us to come into the presence of the Lord and worship Him, in His tabernacle, His temple (V.1,2,6), and in our churches today. We sing to and praise and thank our Lord - and even if we are not good singers, we can still make a “joyful noise” to the Lord (V.1-3).
Why do we sing these praises? Because “the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods” (V.3). He is the only true God, in contrast with all the false gods and idols that others follow. (See also Psalm 96:4-5, for example.) And He is the “Maker” of all things - the heights and depths, the sea and land, and our own Maker (V. 4-6). We are His sheep, and He cares for us, in His pasture (V.7). He is “the Rock of our salvation,” above all, the Foundation for our future and for eternal life (V.1).
These last words point forward to Jesus, Who is our Good Shepherd and knows us by name and cares for us. (See John 10:2-4, 11ff., Ephesians 2:19-22, etc.) We have so many blessings for which we can praise God.
The Psalm ends, though, with a word of warning. Knowing that we are weak, sinful human beings, we are to “bow down” and “kneel” in humble worship before our Lord and keep hearing His voice, so that we do not harden our hearts and go astray against God, in rebellion and loss of faith (V. 7B-11). The example is given of the children of Israel and their rebellion against Moses and God, complaining and quarreling and putting God to the test in the wilderness in Exodus 17:1-7 and again in Numbers 20:7-13 and so many more times in their 40 years of wandering, after their rescue from slavery in Egypt. See also Deuteronomy 6:16 and Psalm 78:15-22 and
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 and Hebrews 3:7-14 and 16-19.
The call is to begin in faith, by the grace of God, but also to continue in that faith in Christ our Savior, today and every day, as God is faithful to us with His gifts and blessings day after day (Psalm 95:7 and 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 and Hebrews 4:1-3,11-16). By God’s grace, “we hold fast our confession," confident in God’s grace and mercy in Christ.
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