Psalm 95 Meaning Explained

A psalm of two movements: an exuberant call to worship the great King above all gods, the Rock of salvation, and a sudden, sober warning. The voice shifts to God’s own voice, recalling Meribah and Massah, where Israel tested Him. 'Do not harden your hearts,' He warns, 'as you did that day.' Worship is conditioned upon listening obedience, lest the promise of rest be forfeited.

A clear explanation of Psalm 95, its meaning, context, and message for believers today

Psalms Chapter 95 | KJV

1. O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
2. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
3. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
5. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
7. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
8. Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9. When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
10. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
11. Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Historical Context

Psalm 95, attributed to David, combines praise with a warning, reminding Israel of God’s power and the consequences of disobedience.