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Psalm 95
Introduction:
1. In this lesson we are concentrating on the message presented in Psalm 95. 2. The first part of this Psalm is similar to Psalm 100. 3. In Psalm 95, God's people are exhorted to do 2 things: a. God's people are to praise Him b. God's people are to avoid the mistake of the Israelites. Discussion: I. (vs.1-7a) GOD'S PEOPLE ARE TO PRAISE HIM A. This exhortation is given in the opening words -- "O come, let us sing unto the Lord" (vs.1a). B. The writer continued by showing how God's people are to praise Him. 1. (vs.1b) God's people are to praise Him by making "a joyful noise" to Him. 2. (vs.2b) More specifically, God's people are to praise Him through the singing of "psalms." 3. (vs.2a) God is to be praised with "thanksgiving." 4. (vs.6) God is to be praised with "humility." a. Those who praise God are to "bow down" and "kneel" before Him. b. We are reminded in vs.7a that God is the Shepherd, and His people are the sheep. C. The writer also showed why God's people are to praise Him. 1. (vs.1b) God's people are to praise Him because He is "the rock of our salvation." 2. (vs.3) God's people are to praise Him because He is "a great God, and a great king above all gods." 3. (vs.4) God's people are to praise Him because everything is His, including "the deep places of the earth" and "the strength of the hills." 4. (vs.5) God's people are to praise Him because He created everything, including "the sea" as well as "the dry land." D. These words of exhortation are designed to help God's people remain faithful. 1. What will happen to God's people when they: a. fail to praise Him by making a joyful noise to Him by singing psalms? b. fail to express gratitude to Him? c. fail to remain humble before Him? 2. What will happen to God's people when they: a. fail to recognize Him as "the rock of our salvation?" b. fail to recognize Him as the "great God" who is "above all gods?" c. fail to recognize Him as the owner and creator of everything? E. This brings us to the 2nd exhortation. II. (vs.7b-11) GOD'S PEOPLE ARE TO AVOID THE MISTAKE OF THE ISRAELITES A. The Israelites did not listen to God's voice, they hardened their hearts, they provoked God, and they tempted God. B. Occasions when the Israelites did these things are recorded in Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 14:1-4, 26-33. C. When the Israelites faced difficulties, they should have followed the instructions given in Psalm 95:1-7a, and they should have listened to Psalm 100. D. Unfortunately, the Israelites lost sight of God's goodness and power, they murmured against Him, and many of them were kept out of the promised land. Conclusion: 1. According to Hebrews 4:7, David wrote Psalm 95 (1000 BC). a. He dealt with events that occurred many years before he lived. b. He applied what happened earlier to the people living when he lived. 2. Years later, David's exhortation is applied to Christians in Hebrews 3:7-4:1. a. Christians can fall away from the Lord just as the Israelites did. b. What can we do to avoid falling away? c. Rather than imitate the Israelites, let us follow the instructions given in Psalm 95:1-7a. | ||