Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: David, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses, and the Sons of Korah
Date Penned: (1440-586 BC)
Overview: Poetry for the Expression of Praise and Worship to God (c 1-150)
Theme: The Fourth Book of Psalms (c 90-106)
Message: An Invitation to Worship God (v 1-11)
Psalms 95 Commentary
(95:1-4) Expressions of Worship - Songs, shouts, gratitude, and praise erupted from those gathered to worship the Lord. While Scripture gives many examples of stillness and silence in God's presence, it also gives many examples of raucous worship. Both peaceful silence and enthusiastic praise are appropriate expressions of worship to our great God.
(95:7-8) Listening to God - What can soften our hard hearts and help us listen to God? The first step involves our minds. Remember that he is our rock, our king, our creator, and our shepherd (95:1-7). We have nothing to fear and nothing to lose by following him. The second step involves our hearts. God desires to speak to us through his Word and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Spiritually, we should open our hearts to him. Will you listen? Make your morning prayer each day, Lord, teach me to listen to you
(95:8) A Hardened Heart - A hardened heart is as useless as a hardened lump of clay or a hardened loaf of bread. Nothing except the intervention of God himself can restore it and make it useful again. The writer warns against hardening our hearts as Israel did in the wilderness by continuing to resist God's will (Exodus 17:7). What causes a hard heart? It may come from doubt of God's love, disappointment over an unanswered prayer, or resentment about a painful situation God did not take away. We may cut God off because we want to live on our own, pursuing sinful pleasures, pastimes, or addictions. The Israelites had been so convinced that God couldn't deliver them that they simply lost their faith in him. When someone's heart becomes hardened over time, that person may lose the ability to turn to God. This does not happen all at once; it builds upon a series of choices to disregard God's will. If you resist God long enough, he may toss you aside like hardened bread, useless and worthless.
(95:8) Provocation - The word provocation could be translated as a place name Meribah. The word temptation could be translated as a place name--Massah. The psalm writer was referring to the incident at Rephidim (Exodus 1711-7) when the Istaelites complained to Moses because they had no water (see also Numbers 20:1-13). Their complaining went beyond being thirsty; they were challenging Moses' leadership and doubting God's provision.
(95:11) Ungrateful Hearts - What keeps us from God's ultimate blessings (entering his "rest")? Having ungrateful hearts (952), not worshiping or submitting to him (95:6), hardening our hearts (95:8), and testing God's patience because of stubborn doubts (95:9).
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