Psalm 95

Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
   Let’s march into his presence singing praises,
      lifting the rafters with our hymns!
^3-5 And why? Because God is the best,
      High King over all the gods.
   In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
      in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
   He made Ocean—he owns it!
      His hands sculpted Earth!
^6-7 So come, let us worship: bow before him,
      on your knees before God, who made us!
   Oh yes, he’s our God,
      and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.

^7-11 Drop everything and listen, listen as he speaks:
      “Don’t turn a deaf ear as in the Bitter Uprising,
   As on the day of the Wilderness Test,
      when your ancestors turned and put me to the test.
   For forty years they watched me at work among them,
      as over and over they tried my patience.
   And I was provoked—oh, was I provoked!
      ‘Can’t they keep their minds on God for five minutes?
      Do they simply refuse to walk down my road?’
   Exasperated, I exploded,
      ‘They’ll never get where they’re headed,
      never be able to sit down and rest.'”

I love this psalm.

Especially verses 6 and 7-  the repetition of the worship body language is so meaningful for me.  Worship- flat on your face before the LORD- bow before HIM- Lower your face before His holiness and majesty and get “on your knees” – kneel – offer him a humble and submitted heart.

This is like a primer in worship, much needed in a society that no longer bows to anyone or anything in subjection.  We don’t acknowledge royalty, our leaders are often treated more with scorn than respect, and religious figures are suspect and outdated.  There are few families where the parental figure is held in a place of honor- children treat their fathers more like Homer Simpson than “Father knows best”. 

And we no longer approach the Lord with fearful awe, because AWESOME is no longer reserved for  the reverential  but used as an everyday adjective.

This psalm teaches us an attitude of worship and praise.

1) Approach the Lord with a LOUD joyful Noise!

2) Recognize that He is creator and savior of His people.

3) Assume the position of worship- humbled – and down on the ground before Him.

4) Hear-Hearken to- OBEY!

5) Worship = nothing less than a bending of wills and a renewal of pilgrimage.

6) Refusal to worship ends in a stalemate.  One cannot approach The Living God without an attitude of worship with a giant helping of praise.  There is NO rest for those who continue on their own way-“They”ll never get where they’re headed”.