Take Aways - What does God reveal to us about Worship–Psalm 95

Today we continue our study of the Book of Psalms with a focus on Psalm 95. This psalm helps us to reorient our thinking and practice concerning the vital matter of worship. It turns our attention and affection toward God Who alone is worthy of our worship.

  • First, let’s define “worship”. There are many good detailed definitions, but the one I like is short and simple – “worship is praising and thanking God”.
  • There are those who emphasize what God can do for men, rather than dwelling on man’s duty toward God. We become confused and sometimes even angry with God when adversity upsets our lives. Such a mindset will make it impossible to properly worship God.
  • What is the mood of the psalmist’s exhortation if 95:1-2? Is it somber and reserved? No – it’s a collective call for enthusiastic vocal praise. It’s a joyful, grateful praise, not a reserved, pensive praise, but an exuberant expression of worship. The psalmist uses terms here that may seem more appropriate in the football stadium than in the church “sanctuary.” Interesting Note: I think this is why we call it the “worship center” rather than the “sanctuary”.
  • Some Christians seem to think that worship cannot and should not be exuberant or noisy. They’re sometimes critical of others whose worship is too animated and enthusiastic. While there can be extremes, I don’t see examples of excessive exuberance during our worship services. Do you?
  • It might be good to be reminded of how David was rebuked by his wife Michal for being too exuberant in his worship before the Ark of the Covenant. She was later divinely disciplined: “Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death” – 2 Sam. 6:23.
  • Notice that the worship that the psalmist encourages here is congregational. In 95:1-2, four times we read, “Let us”. While worship may be done privately, it’s not described as such here. Here and elsewhere in the Scriptures, worship is described as congregational, not merely individual.
  • This is in fact, one of the reasons that we assemble in this place weekly. Yes, we can “worship” God alone in our car, in our living room in front of the TV, or in a prayer closet, but there is something unique about believers worshipping God together.
  • Think of each believer as representing a spiritual circuit between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm. And through that circuit is flowing God-focused power. Now picture 2,500 spiritual circuits packed together in one room, and imagine the collective power of that.
  • Another thing to notice in 95:1 is that the worship here is vocal. Too often we think of worship not only as private, but as silent. So, why do we sing? For the same reason that David and the Israelites sang songs of praise and thanksgiving. Although it’s possible to individually give praise and thanks to God,if a congregation took the time to let everyone do thatindividually, it would take all day. But singing is something we can do together. So, as a practical matter, down through the ages, Old and New Testament believers alike have sung their praise and thanksgiving to God.
  • The psalmist is also making the point that the object of our worship matters. Worshipping any person or thing other than the One True Living Triune God is idolatry. Proper worship requires that there must be apreoccupation with God, not with man-made excitement, enthusiasm, or expression. The psalmist is encouraging the congregation to consider Who it is that they are addressing with their praise and thanksgiving.
  • Key Point: We approach the proper worship mindset when in our mind’s eye we picture Who it is that we’re worshipping – none other than the giver of all life, past, present and future – the uncreated creator of all things seen and unseen – “the great King above all gods” and the lover of our souls.
  • The first call to worship was to sing and shout-out our praise and thanksgiving. The second call to worship is contained in 95:6, and its basis is given in 95:7a. Notice especially the change of tone, from exuberant, enthusiastic praise to awe-inspired adoration. The worshipper is seen standing in God’s presence, shouting out praise in 95:1-2. Now, in 95:6 the worshipper falls on his face before God in humbled silence.
  • Key Point: The psalmist is encouraging another dimension to our worship based on our personal relationship with Almighty God. Concerning this, our worship is to be reverent, meek, and loving. With this approach to worship we’re acknowledging God’s compassion, mercy, grace, and love. These are praiseworthy attributes for which we can also be thankful.
  • In 95:7b-11, the psalmist warns against ignoring and/or defying God and failing to worship Him. The psalmist points to past failures in Israel’s history as illustrations of the penalty for unbelief. Have you ever wondered why Almighty God desires for us to worship Him? Why does the architect and manager of the universe need our praise and thanksgiving? He doesn’t, but He knows how beneficial to us worshipping Him is. For example, have you ever experienced temptation when you’re worshipping God?
  • Who is speaking in 95:8-11? It’s God and He’s telling us what He wants from us. First of all, He wants us to hear Him (95:7b) not just assemble for worship. It’s good that we regularly come together for worship, but the value of it is lost if all we do is sit there like an audience while our thoughts are elsewhere. God expects us to worship Him in spirit and in truth – “for God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” – John 4:24.
  • Key Point: To God, when we fail to listen, trust, and obey Him, we have “hardened our hearts”. Our listening, trusting, and obeying are the byproducts of worshipping in spirit and in truth.
  • We’ve heard Dr. Stanley refer to this human tendency to forget and not apply the truth that God exposes us to during worship. It disturbs God that people can come week after week after week to worship, hear reports of the great things thatGodhas done and is doing in many lives and still, the minute they encounter difficulty in their lives, they fall apart.
  • In 95:10, we see how God reacts to this human tendency – “For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways”.
  • Frankly, I don’t expect to fully get God because His ways aren’t my ways. In fact, God has told us not to expect to understand His ways. However, He does expect that we will trust Him, especially when we don’t understand Him.

Summary

Psalm 95 teaches us that worship is not secondary; it is essential. It’s not marginal, but crucial. We should worship God because He is worthy of it. We should worship God because He desires it for our benefit. We should worship because God commands it. We should worship God because to fail to worship hardens our hearts, leads to dissatisfaction and disobedience, and ultimately to discipline.

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