Location in Book of Psalms
Psalm 95 is part of the collection of psalms known as Book Four (Psalms 90-106).
Within this collection, Psalms 93-100 are a sub-group, or a “collection within a collection”. These psalms all have a strong focus on worship, the sovereignty and kingship of YHVH (Jehovah), and the assurance of his ultimate rule over all of creation.
Authorship
The Hebrew text of Psalm 95 does not indicate its authorship, but the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, made in Alexandria between 250 BC and 100 BC) attributes it to David. The Letter to the Hebrews reflects this conviction, referring to David as the author (Hebrews 4:7)
Historical Context – David
If David is the author of Psalm 95, he probably wrote it after the ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem.
- David established Levitical choirs (1 Chron 16:4–6) and may well have composed processional hymns like Psalm 95 to redirect Israel’s worship to the Ark’s new resting place.
- The psalm opens by calling God the Rock of our salvation (Ps 95:1), a title David frequently uses (e.g., Ps 18:2, 62:2). It also calls God’s people the sheep of his hand (Ps 95:7), reflecting David’s background as a shepherd.
Historical Context – exile and wilderness themes
The psalms in Book Four (90-106), which were probably compiled after the exile to Babylon, have many references to wilderness themes. Psalm 95 is no exception.
Many of the prophets refer to another coming exile, referred to as the wilderness of the nations in Ezekiel 20:35 (NIV), and call Israel to persevere in hope during this time. This expectation is reflected in Luke 19:41-44 and Luke 21:20-24. Psalm 95 fits this context well.
Background – Meribah and Massah
Psalm 95:8-9 mentions an event during the Exodus journey of the Israelites when the Israelites were without water, and they grumbled against the Lord and against Moses’ leadership.
Every Passover, Jewish worshippers are instructed to see themselves as having personally came out of Egypt. Generations later, David used this well-known story to remind Israel to trust and obey the Lord.
This occurred about 400 years before David wrote this psalm. It was a time of extreme testing.
- Why was the Lord displeased with his people?
Background – An early Jewish apostle interprets Psalm 95
Key verse : Hebrews 3:19
Key verses : Hebrews 4:9-10
Psalm 95 verse-by-verse
As we read through this psalm verse by verse, we are going to consider it from five different perspectives.
- You are David, shepherd-king of Israel. Why did you write this psalm?
- You are a Jewish man or woman in the rebuilt temple after the exile. Life in the rebuilt Jerusalem is hard, and there are many enemies, but you know that God is Israel’s shepherd. What are your thoughts as this psalm is sung?
- You are one of a group of Jewish believers in Jesus in the first few decades after His resurrection. Your faith in him as Messiah is under attack. What is God saying to you through this psalm?
- You are yourself – a 21st century Canadian Gentile believer in Jesus. What is God saying to you through this psalm?
- You are a Jew living in Israel. You believe in the God of Israel but you are distant from him, and you are curious as to whether Yeshua might be the Messiah. What is God saying to you through this psalm?
[1-2] Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
- What does it mean that the Lord is the Rock of your salvation?
- What has he saved you from?
- Why would you shout for joy to the Lord, and come to him with thanksgiving?
- As David, the King of Israel, a former shepherd and the author of this psalm
- As a Jewish man or woman in the rebuilt temple after the exile
- As an early Jewish believer in Jesus
- As a Canadian Christian living in our time
- As a Jew living in Israel, believing in God yet distant from him, and curious about Yeshua
[3-5] For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
- What does it mean that the Lord is King above all gods?
- As you hear or sing the words of this psalm about God’s Lordship over the depths of the earth, the mountain peaks, the sea and the dry land, what thoughts are going through your mind?
- As David, the King of Israel, a former shepherd and the author of this psalm
- As a Jewish man or woman in the rebuilt temple after the exile
- As an early Jewish believer in Jesus
- As a Canadian Christian living in our time
- As a Jew living in Israel, believing in God yet distant from him, and curious about Yeshua
[6-7a] Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
for he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Suppose you are
- David, the King of Israel, a former shepherd and the author of this psalm
- A Jewish man or woman in the rebuilt temple after the exile
- An early Jewish believer in Jesus
- A Canadian Christian living in our time
- A Jew living in Israel, believing in God yet distant from him, and curious about Yeshua
- What does it mean to you to bow down in worship?
- What does it mean to be his sheep, to be shepherded by God?
[7b-9] Today, if only you would hear his voice,
Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
where your ancestors tested me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
Suppose you are
- David, the King of Israel, a former shepherd and the author of this psalm
- A Jewish man or woman in the rebuilt temple after the exile
- An early Jewish believer in Jesus
- A Canadian Christian living in our time
- A Jew living in Israel, believing in God yet distant from him, and curious about Yeshua
- How are you affected by this urgent plea not to harden your heart?
[10-11] For forty years I was angry
with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”
Suppose you are
- David, the King of Israel, a former shepherd and the author of this psalm
- A Jewish man or woman in the rebuilt temple after the exile
- An early Jewish believer in Jesus
- A Canadian Christian living in our time
- A Jew living in Israel, believing in God yet distant from him, and curious about Yeshua
- When you hear about those who did not enter God’s rest because of unbelief, how does this impact you?
- Do you have hope of entering God’s rest? How?
- What is God’s rest?
Fuel for Prayer
As contemporary disciples of Jesus, we live in a time of increasing unrest and upheaval. In some places there is increasing persecution (a sort of wilderness, metaphorically speaking). We could think of Iran, or Nigeria. There is war in many places. There is also increasing pressure and hatred directed towards Jews, including those who believe in Yeshua.
- In these times, what does it mean to enter His rest?
- How do we make every effort to enter that rest – Hebrews 4:11 (NIV)?
- Let us pray ….
Psalm 95 – a musical rendition
The Sons of Korah – an Australian worship band – sing Psalm 95