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The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 95 is a Hymn in a section of Enthronement Psalms. After a brief section of corporate instruction on a proper way to approach Yahweh in worship, the author refers to the incident in Exod 17:1–7. This Psalm is then explained in Hebrews 3:7–4:16. The author begins by instructing us to Rejoice in our Creator-Redeemer, Yahweh, then to Reverence our Creator-Redeemer, then to Respond to the word of our Creator-Redeemer with trust, obedience, and faith.
I. A corporate call to worship Yahweh (vs. 1–2)
A. The summons is the celebrate and rejoice
B. The person designated for Adoration and celebration is Yahweh
C. This is in response to a divine deliverance of His people
D. The divine warrior delivers and defends His people
E. Because of God’s mighty acts of deliverance, the people respond with praise and thanksgiving. An attitude of gratitude
F. The worship includes the joyous and celebrative use of music and song
G. It includes a corporate gathering at a designated place of worship
H. The people gratefully praise the LORD, their redeemer
II. A hymn to sing to the Creator-King, Yahweh (vs. 3–5)
A. God is the greatest of kings that rules over His creation
B. False gods have territories of mountains, valleys, and seas
C. The true God of the Bible created and rules over all of creation
III. A reverential call to worship Yahweh (vs. 6)
A. The summons for joyous songs is followed by a call to prostrate yourself before this sovereign king
B. Jesus is seated on the throne to rule Acts 2:29–36 He holds the universe together by His powerful word
C. Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lord’s, His universal kingship is the subject of our praise
IV. A hymn to the Covenant God, Yahweh (vs. 7a–c)
A. The covenant God made all humans
B. The covenant God is the shepherd of Israel
C. He takes care of His own
D. The essential promise of most of the biblical covenants, “I will be your God, you will be my people.” A close covenantal relationship like marriage
E. God’s own power brought about our creation and our redemption
V. A warning against Covenant unfaithfulness (vs. 7d–11)
A. The sin of unbelief, Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:1–13, 27:14; Deut 6:16, 9:22, 32:51; Ps 81:7
B. Miracles do not produce faith, they are evidence to those already believing
C. When you read or hear God’s word read, as soon as you understand it you should believe it and obey it, making it your own, replacing the errors in your thinking with God’s true truth
D. The practices of apathy, ignorance, and intentional disobedience strain the relationship between God and His people
E. Today is the moment of Grace; there may be no other offers
F. How can you harden a stone heart? A corrupt and depraved inner man? Figure - not let the Word of God penetrate your mind, direct your will, or channel your emotions
G. They did not know God, or His ways, nor did they love God, listen to or obey Him
H. Yahweh was thoroughly disgusted with that whole generation (slave-mentality)
I. To violate the covenant with unfaithfulness, rebellion, and unbelief is a serious sin against the covenant relationship. It forfeits the promises and institutes the covenantal curses.
J. Interpretation of key terms for the Christian from Hebrews 3-4
1. Today
2. Rest
K. The promised land was a type for heaven itself, especially during the millennium. The ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual promises is heaven, and Hebrew says that is for Christians, those who follow Abraham in the faith-line, regardless of their race
Lessons to live by:
• Be sure to praise God for all the wonders of creation and His mighty acts of redemption. Since God has created all matter and elements, no one has the right to take a piece of His work and worship it.
• Evolution is an attack on the very nature and power of God
• Worship of God is important. We worship with song, with prayer, with offerings, with the Word—when we listen, understand, and obey it
• Unbelief in God’s Word is still a good way to miss heaven
