Psalm 95:1-7a – In the midst of a national crisis, this psalm would assure people that
God is King over all, even when they suffered defeat and even death. (See Psalm
90) The psalm references temple practices such as procession and bowing. The
text may have prepared people to hear the reading of God’s Word, such as at the
Festival of Booths or Tabernacles.
The format of the
Psalm is as follows:
Vv 1-5 A cal to exuberant and joyful
worship because God still reigns
Vv 6-11 A stern warning, not to revel as the
Israelites did.[1]
This Psalm is the one
appointed for this Sunday. Verse 7a is
the key verse, “We are the people of his
pasture.” Our Savior has promised to shepherd us; we are never
in want. Thus we cast our worries and cares into His hands as He orders our
days and directs our path. He alone is our good shepherd and king.
Collect
for Psalm 95: Almighty God, neither
let us go astray as did those who murmured in the desert, nor let us be torn
apart by discord. With Jesus as our shepherd, bring us to enjoy the unity for
which he prays and to you be the glory and the praise now and forever.[2]
[1] Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
[2] Collect for Psalm 95, For All The Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
Image of Christ the King copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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