Psalm 95

Published: July 15, 2020, 7 a.m.

We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below. Read Psalm 95  Listen to Psalm 95 This psalm gives us an invitation to worship and an important warning. Sing and shout (verses 1-5) We are called to corporate worship - the word ‘us’ is used several times. We are told why we should come to the Lord; because he is ‘the rock of our salvation’ and he is a ‘great king’. Bow down (verses 6-7) We move from noisy praise, to bowing down, because we are the ‘flock under his care’. Shepherds don’t cuddle their sheep, they lead them firmly and strongly and protect them. We have a Good Shepherd in Jesus who has laid down his life for us. So, there is even more reason to bow down before our God and Saviour. Do not (verses 8-11) Now comes a warning. As we draw close to worship and hear God’s word, we need to make sure we do not have the wrong reaction. Massah means testing. Meribah means quarrelling. See the context in Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20:13. Do we hear a challenge from the Scriptures and then ‘harden our hearts’? The principle behind hardening our hearts is unbelief. See Hebrews 3 & 4. We can have unbelief because of our stubborn wills, or bitterness to something that has happened. Forgiveness is key. Jesus said, "And whenever you stand praying, you must forgive anything that you are holding against anyone else, and your Heavenly Father will forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:26). Today Lord, if I hear your voice, do not harden my heart (verse 8).