Psalms 95:1-11 - Homilies By S. Conway

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 " rock " reminds us of. Shade: for God was to his people as "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land;" and he is so still. Defence: "Thou art my Rock and my Fortress." Strength: "Thou hast set my feet upon a rock." Supply: "He smote the rock," etc. ( Psalms 78:20 ; Psalms 81:16 ). Dwelling place: we read both in Isaiah and Jeremiah of "the inhabitants of the rock." Such were the ideas that gathered round this name of the Lord which the psalm summons men to praise.

3 . The manner of the praise. It was to be by joyful song and resonant shout, with thanksgiving and with psalms. So hearty, so jubilant, so universal, so emphatic, was to be the praise of the Lord. But in verse 6 there is the call to yet more profound adoration and worship, since yet higher manifestations of God's grace are to be commemorated. Therefore note:

4 . The reasons for all this worship. And

II. THE CALL TO HEAR GOD 'S VOICE . (Verse 8.) For as the former verses had told of the rich and lofty privileges of the people of God, so these tell of their great peril—the peril of unbelief. This had been their ruin in days gone by, in all that weary forty years. Nothing else could harm them; but this wrought all their woo (cf. Hebrews 4:6-9 ). And what was true of old and of Israel, is true today and of ourselves. The righteous live by faith; no unbeliever can enter into God's rest.

III. THE CALL TO FAITH . For this is the condition of our obtaining the prize of our high calling. The rest of God is God's reward to his faithful people—a rest not alone in heaven hereafter, but here and now, whilst in this world, which Christ promises to give, and does give. Saints of old knew it; saints today enter into it. Christ dwelt in it, and so may we—if we believe.—S.C.