Psalm 95 — Shout for Joy! And Enter Into His Rest!
Introduction: The study of this psalm generated a healthy helping of New Testament references, and notably the passage from Hebrews 3:13–4:11 was an excellent cross reference for contemplation. The prophetic nature of the psalms is not just in respect to a coming Messiah, but sometimes simply shows the consistency of God’s grace and mercy that will be supplied to the saints until all promises are fulfilled.
Psalm 95:1–5 — In Amplified Paraphrase
1 O come, shout for joy unto the LORD, the Existing One: let us make a joyful sound to the rock, that unshakable foundation, of our eternal salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, praise, confession, and make a joyful sound unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is an unsurpassed, incomparable, God, and a great King, the sovereign of his people, above all else that would be called gods. 4 In his hand are the fields, valleys, and dark recesses of the earth; as are the hills and lofty peaks of the mountains. 5 Every body of water is his, for he made them: and his powerful hands formed all dry land.
Comments: Verses 1 and 2 entreat us to come to present ourselves before the sovereign of all creation, who has complete authority and is worthy of utmost respect and honor. There is also however, the element of joy, expressed even in jubilant manner. This expression of joy is directed to our Lord in praise, thanksgiving, and confession because verse 3 explains that he is without equal as the king of his people, and surpasses any god of man’s invention. Some other selected verses give testimony to our LORD as the creator of all: Isaiah 42:5 “Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth”; John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” And Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Psalm 95:6–7a — In Amplified Paraphrase
6 O come let us worship and bow down: let us kneel in praise before the LORD our maker. 7a For he is our God; and we are the people of his flock and the sheep of his open hand.
Comments: Verse 6 of Psalm 95 is a refrain following verses 3 through 5, and these actions are not borne out of just religious formality! The verbs in that verse indicate a continual personal practice, and suggest a progression to increasing honor in offering our praise: worship — bow down — then kneel. Verse 7a establishes the personal and attentive relationship between the LORD and his people, as with a shepherd and the flock which is his own. The Hebrew word used here for hand implies an open hand as opposed to a closed fist, because it is the hand of provision and care. Psalm 100:3 shows the Lord as both creator and shepherd: “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Then, the New Testament clearly identifies our shepherd Lord as Christ Jesus. John 10:27–28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Psalm 95:7b–11 — In Amplified Paraphrase
7b Today, if you will, obediently hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart as in the provocation and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tested me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, It is a people that vacillate in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
Comments: Verse 7b then makes the key statement of the immediate need to hear his voice today, and it is combined with verse 8 when it is quoted in Hebrews 3:15. It is not enough simply to hear the Word of God, but hearing correctly requires a response in obedience. Most who came out of Egypt with Moses did fail to obey the Lord’s voice. The New Testament reveals that even the disciples needed to guard against a hardened heart. And Romans 2:4–5 speaks of righteous judgment for persistence in unbelief. An inspired writer of the New Testament provides an excellent commentary: Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” And Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” We should continue in the labor the Lord has given, until he provides an undisturbed and perfect rest for our souls. Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, I come to you with joy, which wells up inside of me, as I consider that you alone are that solid rock of personal salvation! I offer praise for my passage from death to life, thanksgiving for the mighty works of nature which declare your glory as they provide wonder and enjoyment, and I confess that all righteousness comes from you. You LORD are the unsurpassed, incomparable, God, and a great King, the sovereign of your people, above all else that would be called god in the foolishness of men. In your hand are the fields, valleys, and dark recesses of the earth; as are the hills and lofty peaks of the mountains. Every body of water is yours, for you made them, and your powerful hands formed all dry land. I must come, and encourage other believers, to worship and bow down: to kneel in praise before you LORD, our maker. For you are our God; and we are the people of your flock and the sheep of your providential hand.
Today, and each day, may I hear and obey your word: exhorting other believers as I myself strive against hardening of the heart through the deceitfulness of sin. Thank you for your exceeding forbearance with me, as you stabilize the vacillation in my heart and make me a partaker in Christ as I become more steadfast in faith. Guide me to labor and be always abounding in the work of the LORD, until I enter into that promised rest. Amen.
Published 2 June 2004, first issued 25 October 2002