Psalm 95 is a call to worship God. In the context of this call we learn several things about worship.
In the first five verses we see that rejoicing is a vital part of worship – “let us sing for joy,” “let us shout aloud,” “with thanksgiving,” “extol him with music and song” . . . The writer of this song lets us know that worship has elements of making a joyful sound before God. As I read the context it seems he is talking about the fact that worship is to be vocal, it is to be typified by energy and exuberance, and it is to be done corporately. Sing and shout! To my mind comes the exuberance that fans express at a ball game when their team has done something significant. An element of our corporate worship before God should have that kind of outward expression of joy.
Worship needs to be God-centered and not worship centered. Verses 3-5 tell us why we are getting loud in the presence of God. He is God! The one and only God. If we are not careful we can make our worship time more about how we feel than we make it a time to declare praise and honor to the Lord of all.
Verses 6-7 remind us that there is also an element of reverence in true worship. “Come, let us bow down.” The song starts with the worshiper standing in the presence of God rejoicing with joy, and then it moves to the worshiper prostrating himself in the presence of God in an attitude of awe. In the first 5 verses the object of worship is the Lord, the Sovereign creator and sustainer of all things. In verses 6-7 the object of our reverent worship is the Lord our redeemer – “we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care,”
Worship is about rejoicing. Worship is about reverence. And worship is about the right response to God in worship. Worship is not only about giving vocal praise and honor to God, it is also about listening for his voice to speak to us. (Verses 7-11) And when we hear that voice we need to respond with a heart that says yes Lord, lest we become like the children of Israel who missed obtaining the best that God had for them because of their hard hearts and unbelief.
I think of the words of Jesus in John 4 where we read the conversation he had with the woman at the well in Sychar. Jesus said the Father seeks worshipers who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Worship is required. It is something that we are all called to do. Worship is to be perpetual. It is to be our lifestyle.
He’s worthy!
Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Wed. Oct. 19, 2011 Daniel 5, Psalm 95, Proverbs 19, 1 Cor. 5-6
Thurs. Oct. 20, 2011 Daniel 6-7, Psalm 96, Proverbs 20, 1 Cor. 7-8
Fri. Oct. 21, 2011 Daniel 8, Psalm 97, Prov. 21, 1 Cor. 9-10
Sat. Oct. 22, 2011 Daniel 9-10, Psalm 98, Prov. 22, 1 Cor. 11-12
Sun. Oct. 23, 2011 Daniel 11-12, Psalm 99, Prov. 23, 1 Cor. 13-14
Mon. Oct. 24, 2011 Job 1-3, Psalm 100, Prov. 24, 1 Cor. 15
Tues. Oct. 25, 2011 Job 4-5, Psalm 101, Prov. 25, 1 Cor. 16
