FocusThe LORD's reign and Israel's history
Psalms 95:1
KJVO come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. These psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
- 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
- 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 95:1–95:11): The congregation is called to worship; the LORD's warning recalls the wilderness generation and addresses those who hear His voice. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Do Not Harden Your Hearts. Read Psalms 95:1 through Psalms 95:2 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. These psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The collection includes different periods and occasions. A specific date is not given for every psalm, and a date inferred for one poem must not be assigned to the whole collection. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The poems refer to homes, wilderness, sanctuary, Zion, exile, and the wider creation. A poetic scene is not automatically the place where the poet composed the psalm. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Do Not Harden Your Hearts (Psalms 95:1 to Psalms 95:2). Start reading at Psalms 95:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus and the apostles apply particular psalms to Christ. Those cited applications provide firm connections; they do not justify treating every first-person statement in every psalm as directly spoken by Jesus. See Luke 24:44, Acts 2:25, Acts 2:30, Acts 2:31. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Bring lament, confession, thanksgiving, and praise honestly before God. Read petitions and descriptions in their poetic setting, and distinguish the psalm's speaker from the reader applying it. interpretation
Cited: Psalms 95:1, Psalms 95:2, Luke 24:44, Acts 2:25, Acts 2:30, Acts 2:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
Related passages
- Come Ps 34:3 Ps 66:8 Ps 107:8,15,21 Ps 117:1 Ps 118:1 Ps 136:1-3 Ps 148:11-13 Ps 150:6
- sing Ps 47:6-7 Ps 66:1-2 Ps 81:1 Ps 96:1-2 Ps 101:1 Exod 15:1,21 1 Chr 16:9 Eph 5:19
- let us make Ps 66:1 Ps 98:4-8 Ps 100:1 Ezra 3:11-13 Isa 12:4-6 Jer 33:11 Matt 21:9 Rev 19:6
- the rock Ps 89:26 Deut 32:15 2 Sam 22:47 1 Cor 10:4
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 95
Psalms 1:1 Psalms 41:13 Psalms 150:6
“For the LORD is a great God, and a…”
Psalms 95:3–5FocusThe LORD's reign and Israel's history
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let…”
Psalms 95:6–7FocusThe LORD's reign and Israel's history
“Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and…”
Psalms 95:8–11FocusThe LORD's reign and Israel's history
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Psalms 1:1 Psalms 41:13 Psalms 150:6
Book I
Psalms 1:1–41:13FocusPrayer, the righteous, and the king
Book II
Psalms 42:1–72:20FocusDistress, kingship, and praise
Book III
Psalms 73:1–89:52FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
FocusThe LORD's reign and Israel's history
Book V
Psalms 107:1–150:6FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.