Psalms 95:1-11 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

We pause here to note a connection between a group of psalms, viz., Psalms 93:1-5; Psalms 94:1-23; Psalms 95:1-11; Psalms 96:1-13; Psalms 97:1-12; Psalms 98:1-9; Psalms 99:1-9; Psalms 100:1-5. These eight constitute the songs of the King, arranged in conformity with the needs of the people. The first Psalms 93:1-5) affirms His enthronement and government. The nest Psalms 94:1-23) expresses the hope of His people even in the midst of circumstances of trial. Then follow six, dealing with the fact of His Kingship in varied ways.

The present one declares His supremacy, and utters a note of warning against that which must inevitably hinder His people from realising the Rest of His reign. Calling first for praise to the King, the singer celebrates His supremacy. He is above all other authority, and is the God of all nature. He is, moreover, the God of His people; and therefore they should worship in submission and reverence before Him (vv. Psalms 95:1-7 a). Then the warning note follows reminding them of the sins of their fathers which, as to their cause, consisted in failure of faith, which expressed itself in refusal to bow in submission to His will. That sin excluded them from rest, and the children are warned to profit by the ancient story. Such a King demands loyalty, and it must be more than that of a song; it must express itself in submission to His government.

Psalms 95:1-11

1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us comea before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

5 The seab is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation,c and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.

10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err 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.