Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Psalms 95

PSALM 95

Psa 95:1-11. David (He 4:7) exhorts men to praise God for His greatness, and warns them, in God's words, against neglecting His service.

1. The terms used to express the highest kind of joy.

rock--a firm basis, giving certainty of salvation (Psa 62:7).

2. come ... presence--literally, "approach," or, meet Him (Psa 17:13).

3. above ... gods--esteemed such by men, though really nothing (Jr 5:7; 10:10-15).

4-5. The terms used describe the world in its whole extent, subject to God.

6. come--or, "enter," with solemn forms, as well as hearts.

7. This relation illustrates our entire dependence (compare Psa 23:3; 74:1). The last clause is united by Paul (He 3:7) to the following (compare Psa 81:8),

8-11. warning against neglect; and this is sustained by citing the melancholy fate of their rebellious ancestors, whose provoking insolence is described by quoting the language of God's complaint (Nu 14:11) of their conduct at Meribah and Massah, names given (Ex 17:7) to commemorate their strife and contention with Him (Psa 78:18, 41).