United Commentaries

Ps.93.1-100.5

These psalms challenge the doubts created by the Exile (see Ps 89) and answer the questions asked in 90:11, 13. The Lord has established a kingdom (Ps 93) that is characterized by the punishment of the wicked (Ps 94), reverent obedience among his people (Ps 95), justice for the poor (Ps 96), celebration in Zion (Ps 97), salvation for Israel (Ps 98), holiness (Ps 99), and praise (Ps 100).

Ps.95.1-11

This call to worship urges the people to respond to the Lord, the Shepherd, and to follow him faithfully. The previous generation, who refused to obey, did not receive the blessings of the Promised Land.

Ps.95.3-5

The Lord is the great King over the whole universe.

Ps.95.3

above all gods: The psalmist refutes idolatry and paganism (96:4-6; 135:15-18; see also Isa 46:5-7).

Ps.95.4-5

The whole created order owes its existence to the sovereign Lord alone—not to various gods.

Ps.95.6-7

The great King cares for his people as a shepherd cares for his flock (Isa 40:11).

The Lord our maker, the Creator of heaven and earth, also made a people for himself (Isa 45:9-12; 51:12-16).

Ps.95.8-11

If people want to enter into the Lord’s rest, they need to respond immediately (see Heb 3:7–4:11).

Ps.95.8

To harden your hearts means to be stubborn and resist the Lord’s grace (see Num 20:2-13; see also Matt 13:3-23; John 12:37-43; Eph 4:17-32; Heb 3:6-19; 4:6-11).

Ps.95.9

Israel’s ancestors . . . saw the wonders of the Lord, but they foolishly did not try to grasp their significance (see 92:5-6).

Ps.95.11

The generation of Israel that wandered in the wilderness for forty years failed to enter the place of rest that Israel enjoyed after the conquest of the land (1 Kgs 8:56; see Deut 12:9). The Lord promised them the land and gave it to them (Isa 28:12), but they did not obey him (Isa 28:1). The warning reminds every generation of the need to obey in faith.

The rest that God provides includes peace, provision, and protection (Ps 132:14-18). The author of Hebrews challenged a new generation to enter the rest provided by Jesus Christ (Heb 3:7–4:13).