In the Septuagint the psalm is ascribed to David, and this view seems to have been taken by the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews ( Hebrews 4:7 ). But modern critics are generally of opinion that the style is not that of the Davidical psalms. read more
The invitatory psalm. It has been thus called in Christian Liturgies throughout Christendom, and chiefly because of its fervent invitation to praise. But it is also an equally earnest invitation to hearken and to believe. Let us take that which stands at the beginning, and consider— I. THE INVITATION TO PRAISE . In this is shown: 1 . To whom the praise is to be rendered. It is to Jehovah, the Rock of our salvation. 2 . Think of the many ministries which the word " ... read more
Public worship-its necessity and advantage. I. ITS NATURE . 1 . Thanksgiving and praise. ( Psalms 95:1 , Psalms 95:2 .) We need special seasons for thinking over our privileges and cultivating gratitude, and the utterance of the spirit of praise. 2 . Adoration and prayer. ( Psalms 95:6 .) God's love thus a cause for our cleansing. Christ's promises and grace inexhaustible. Who can drink the river of his love dry? Confession and supplication. 3 . Listening to... read more
The warning against waywardness. This is delivered in four, or rather four and a half, verses, and commences with the words, "Today if ye will hear his voice." read more
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation; rather, as at Meribah (see Exodus 17:2-7 ). And as in the day of temptation in the wilderness; rather, and as in the day of Massah. The children of Israel "tempted" God, and "chided" with Moses at Massah (or Meribah) in the wilderness, where water was first given them out of the rock. Their descendants are warned not to follow the example of their forefathers. read more
Divided feeling in man. The psalmist assumes that they wish to hear God's voice, and yet there is danger of their hardening their heart. That double feeling is constantly to be found in men. They are forever putting stumbling blocks in their own way. The head will often hinder the heart, and the heart will often hinder the head. Man is a single being, and he is his own true self only when all the forces of his nature act in harmony together. But man can make himself into a dual being, and... read more
The sin of tempting God. Tempting God is putting him to the test, as if you did not feel quite sure of him, and could not fully trust him. The idea of the word is "assay," "test," as the refiner does metals, or as the chemist or analyst may do to substances submitted to him. It is always implied that the man who proves the thing either does not know what it is or is uncertain about it. It is just that ignorance and uncertainty which God's people never should have concerning him. It is that... read more
When your fathers tempted me (see Exodus 17:2 , Exodus 17:7 ). Proved me; or, "tested me"—put my power and goodness to the proof. And (rather, even ) saw my work ; i.e. "saw the water gush forth from the rock, when at my command Moses struck it" ( Exodus 17:6 ). read more
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation; rather, with that generation— the generation that tempted God in the wilderness (see the Revised Version). And said, It is a people that do err in their heart; literally, a people of wanderers in heart are these; i.e. "not only are they a people whose feet wander ( Psalms 107:4 ), but their hearts also have wandered and gone astray from my paths." And they have not known my ways. "My ways—the ways of my commandments—are unknown... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 95:11
Verse 11 11.Wherefore I have sworn in my wrath I see no objection to the relative אשר, asher, being understood in its proper sense and reading — To whom I have sworn. The Greek version, taking it for a mark of similitude, reads, As I have sworn But I think that it may be properly considered as expressing an inference or conclusion; not as if they were then at last deprived of the promised inheritance when they tempted God, but the Psalmist, having spoken, in the name of God, of that obstinacy... read more