Psalms 95:1

Psa 95:1-11. David (He 4:7) exhorts men to praise God for His greatness, and warns them, in God's words, against neglecting His service.

1. The terms used to express the highest kind of joy. rock--a firm basis, giving certainty of salvation (Psa 62:7).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Introduction

An invitation to praise God, Psa 95:1, Psa 95:2. The reason on which this is founded, the majesty and dominion of God, Psa 95:3-5. An invitation to pray to God, Psa 95:6. And the reasons on which that is founded, Psa 95:7. Exhortation not to act as their fathers had done, who rebelled against God, and were cast out of his favor, Psa 95:8-11. This Psalm is also without a title, both in the Hebrew and Chaldee: but is attributed to David by the Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Syriac; and by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Heb 4:3-7. Calmet and other eminent critics believe that it was composed during the time of the captivity, and that the apostle only followed the common opinion in quoting it as the production of David, because in general the Psalter was attributed to him. The Psalm is a solemn invitation to the people, when assembled for public worship, to praise God from a sense of his great goodness; and to be attentive to the instructions they were about to receive from the reading and expounding of the law; and or these accounts it has been long used in the Christian Church, at the commencement of public service, to prepare the people's minds to worship God in spirit and in truth. Houbigant, and other learned divines, consider this Psalm as composed of three parts. 1. The part of the people, Psa 95:1 to the middle of Psa 95:7. 2. The part of the priest or prophet from the middle of Psa 95:7 to the end of Psa 95:8. 3. The part of Jehovah, Psa 95:9-11. It is written as a part of the preceding Psalm by nine of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS.; but certainly it must have been originally an ode by itself, as the subject is widely different from that in the foregoing. Verse 1 O come, let us sing - Let us praise God, not only with the most joyful accents which can be uttered by the voice; but let us also praise him with hearts tuned to gratitude, from a full sense of the manifold benefits we have already received. The rock of our salvation - The strong Fortress in which we have always found safety, and the Source whence we have always derived help for our souls. In both these senses the word rock, as applied to God, is used in the Scriptures.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Chapter Outline

part. An exhortation to praise God. (1-7)

• A warning not to tempt Him. (7-11)

Verses 1-7 Whenever we come into God's presence, we must come with thanksgiving. The Lord is to be praised; we do not want matter, it were well if we did not want a heart. How great is that God, whose the whole earth is, and the fulness thereof; who directs and disposes of all!, The Lord Jesus, whom we are here taught to praise, is a great God; the mighty God is one of his titles, and God over all, blessed for evermore. To him all power is given, both in heaven and earth. He is our God, and we should praise him. He is our Saviour, and the Author of our blessedness. The gospel church is his flock, Christ is the great and good Shepherd of believers; he sought them when lost, and brought them to his fold.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain