Psalm 95

What’s Happening?

Psalm 95 celebrates that God is the Maker and King of the world. The psalm calls people everywhere to worship him as their God and follow him as a sheep follows a shepherd. God is the powerful creator of all things. God rules every corner of the earth, claiming canyons and mountains as his (Psalm 95:3-4). He both filled the oceans and formed the land (Psalm 95:5). The psalmist calls all who see these wonders to bow and kneel before the one who made them (Psalm 95:6). God is the universal King of all creation and the personal King of his people as well. As such, the psalmist calls everyone to worship him with joyful shouts and royal honor. With music and song, they should thank him for his goodness and celebrate his greatness (Psalm 95:1-2). 

But more than simply worshiping God, God’s human creatures must follow him. God is not just a creator but a shepherd gently leading his sheep (Psalm 95:7). The psalmist warned them not to be like their ancestors who refused to listen to God and suffered terrible consequences (Psalm 95:8-9). Even though God made them his people and, like a good shepherd, was leading them to a land full of food and water, their hearts hardened in rebellion, and their ears deafened to God’s voice. And so an entire generation of their ancestors strayed from their shepherd and died in a desert over the course of forty years (Psalm 95:10). They forfeited the land God wanted to lead them to (Psalm 95:11). So God warns this generation not to be like deaf sheep, but attentive to his voice so that they can enjoy safe pasture under his care.

Where is the Gospel?

The God who is King of Creation and Shepherd of his people has made himself known in the person of Jesus. The apostle Paul tells us that it is Jesus who made the canyons and mountains, the land and the sea (Colossians 1:16). The apostle John says that Jesus was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-14). Jesus also showed his power over all creation when he conquered death and walked out of the grave. Jesus is the true King of all creation and the Sovereign over life and death. As such, he is worthy of the worship and praise of the entire creation (Philippians 2:10). Like the psalmist said, we should respond by worshiping Jesus with bowing, singing, and music. 

But more than simply worshiping Jesus, we should follow Jesus because he is our good shepherd (John 10:11). As a shepherd, Jesus calls his sheep to come and rest in his care and protection. He also calls us to listen to and to follow his voice (John 10:2-4). Like a good shepherd, he doesn’t want his sheep to wander into danger but to listen to his voice as he leads them through life (John 10:8-10). And Jesus made sure his sheep would always be able to hear his voice. After Jesus ascended to his throne, he sent his Spirit, who fills his people and softens their hearts to his shepherdly voice (John 14:26, 16:17; Acts 2:4). By listening to him and being filled with his power, those who follow Jesus will enter the rest and home God promised forever (Romans 8:11-17).

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who is the king and maker of everything. And may you see Jesus as the good shepherd who fills his people with his Spirit and leads them into his kingdom.