MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE PSALM 95:1-7A. December 14 Lesson 2. DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Kings 8:54-62 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 95

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1 Page 1 of 14 December 14 Lesson 2 MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Kings 8:54-62 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. PSALM 95:1-7A 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Photo: Design Pics / Thinkstock 1 1

2 Page 2 of 14 KEY VERSE Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to: 1. List some reasons to praise God. 2. Compare and contrast the elements of worship cited in Psalm 95 with his or her own worship experience. 3. Use the lesson s seven verses, in turn, in daily devotions in the week ahead. Introduction A. Spurned Invitations B. Lesson Background I. Exhortation to Sing (PSALM 95:1-5) A. What to Do (vv. 1, 2) Joyful Abandon B. Why to Do It (vv. 3-5) LESSON OUTLINE II. Exhortation to Worship (PSALM 95:6, 7A) A. Postures to Take (v. 6) The Standing Posture B. Reasons for Reverence (v. 7a) Conclusion A. What Is Worship? B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember Introduction A. Spurned Invitations He was a new preacher in town, and he was going door-to-door in the community for several 2 2

3 Page 3 of 14 purposes: to introduce himself to the residents, to invite them to come to the church where he preached, and to do what he could to lead people to salvation in Christ. He had recently earned a doctorate, so his introductory remarks included that bit of information. His get-acquainted comments were usually like this: Hello, I m Dr. Jones. I m the new preacher at Main Street Church, and I would like to invite you to come and worship with us. The new preacher was unable to finish his introduction at one particular home when the man who opened the door interrupted as soon as he heard the word doctor. The man s reply (modified) was No one here is sick! as he slammed the door. The invitation was rudely spurned, even before it could be fully expressed. What if that man later called on that minister, whom he had treated so discourteously, to pray on his behalf? Would the minister say, Sorry! You did not come when I invited you, so I am rejecting your counterinvitation. You had no time for God or me earlier. Why should I give you my time now? Certainly, no caring Christian would respond in such a way! Even so, Jesus spoke of a time to come when a spurned invitation would remain just that (see Matthew 22:2-14; Luke 14:16-24). The great invitation of the Old Testament is a designation often given to Isaiah 55:1-3, which bids a person to come... buy... without money and without cost... listen, that you may live. Jesus offered one of the great invitations of the New Testament when he said, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). The verb come appears three times in the verses of today s lesson. The verbs in the Hebrew are different each time, and there are different purposes in the invitations, as we shall see. We do well to keep in mind, however, that the invitation inherent in the word come is, as TV commercials say, a limited-time offer. B. Lesson Background Most editions of the Bible group the 150 chapters of the book of Psalms into five subdivisions: 1 41, 42 72, 73 89, , and These subdivisions are usually designated as books themselves. It is often noted that this fivebook arrangement is a reminder of the first five books of the Bible by Moses the Pentateuch. Each of the first four books in Psalms concludes with a brief doxology, and the fifth book utilizes all of Psalm 150 as a doxology that is a fitting close for the Psalter as a whole. The superscriptions featured at the beginning of many psalms provide the names of authors, historical occasions that prompted the psalm in view, and/or musical instructions. Psalm 54 offers an example of a superscription that has all three components. At the other end of the spectrum are the 34 so-called orphan psalms, which have no superscription. Psalm 95, from which today s text is drawn, is one of these. Some suggest that the orphan status of Psalm 95 makes it especially suited to the Messianic era, and this thought may be reinforced by the fact that this psalm is quoted in Hebrews 3:7-11, 15; 4:3, 5, 7 (which attributes this psalm to David). Psalm 95 is recognized as having two major parts, and the text for our lesson is the first part. This part is not quoted in the New Testament. 3 3

4 Page 4 of 14 I. Exhortation to Sing (PSALM 95:1-5) A. What to Do (vv. 1, 2) 1. Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. The use of the word come is an imperative, and it is one of three different words translated this way in today s text. The word here is usually translated walk, so the idea is to walk so as to come and do something. The command to come is immediately followed by an exhortation for an action: singing. The words let us encourage everyone to participate in a song of joy, not a psalm of grief or sorrow in which penitent tears may flow. The people of the Middle East have always loved to sing songs characterized by exuberance; they only need an occasion to break forth into such song. An example is the song that was sung when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea by a mighty miracle (Exodus 15:1-18). Another event was when women sang of the military exploits of David and Saul (1 Samuel 18:7). Breaking forth into a victory song is the natural thing to do in such cases. The singing that is encouraged here is to be directed toward the Lord, and it is fitting to recognize that human accomplishments result from the Lord s enabling. How essential it is to recognize that the Lord is the source of power and strength! The apostle Paul does just that when he says, I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). The astute reader will notice that the words of the latter part of the verse before us are very similar in meaning to what has just been stated for the first part: let us sing is parallel with let us shout aloud, while the Lord is parallel with the Rock of our salvation (compare Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Samuel 22:47; Psalm 89:26). Such parallelism is characteristic of Hebrew poetry. The Western mind may look on it as redundant, but it is a delight to the person of the Middle East to repeat a thought by using different words and phrasing. What Do You Think? When do you find it appropriate to sing joyous worship songs/hymns rather than those more solemn in nature? When the reverse? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion Special times of the year In worship services When experiencing challenges or blessings Other 4 4

5 Page 5 of 14 The exhortation for loudness can be used for sounding an alarm (example: Joel 2:1) or shouting during battle (example: Joshua 6:16). Those are not times for timidity or uncertain sounds, and neither is the occasion at hand! The salvation in view is not defined, so its general meaning could fit any situation of triumph. It could be the fact that the Lord saved Israel from the Egyptians in the days of Moses or that there had been a recent military victory. The superscription of Psalm 18 identifies the salvation discussed in that psalm as being that of David s deliverance from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. But there is no superscription to Psalm 95 to help us identify the salvation in view here. What Do You Think? During what times or seasons of life do you reflect most deeply on the certainty of your salvation in Christ? Why is that? Talking Points for Your Discussion When facing temptation When facing disappointment When dealing with uncertainty Other Some may point to verses such as this to justify extreme loudness in contemporary worship. But we should be cautious in seeing a precedent. The song after the crossing of the Red Sea, the singing of the women when they praised David, and the singing at the temple all had two things in common: the singing was outside and there was no electronic amplification. Both facts imply limitations on decibel levels that often do not apply today. Some parts of the temple may have had a roof, but the sides were open as hundreds sang and played their instruments (2 Chronicles 29:30). 2. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. The word come is used again, but it is not the same Hebrew word for come as was used in verse 1. The word here has the idea of walking at the head of a procession, or being in front (compare Psalm 68:25). It marks a progression in that the person who receives the invitation in verse 1 is now encouraged to take the lead in coming before the Lord with thanksgiving. Any time is a good time to express such thoughts. Being thankful is not to be confined to one holiday each year. JOYFUL ABANDON As a former resident of St. Louis, I have many friends there who are ardent fans of the city s 5 5

6 Page 6 of 14 professional baseball team. One of my friends has a season ticket for a seat near first base. Sometimes the TV cameras capture her and not by accident. She is so exuberant and expressive! Sometimes I suspect she expends more energy during the game than the players do. She experiences as much joy as anyone there. One year she was on crutches when her team made it to the playoffs. While she needed assistance in getting to her seat, she still attended. She is a true fan. We are designed to worship God, and that means much more than being his fan. We have a God who is good, every day. He is always faithful, always loving, always with us, always giving us reasons to abandon ourselves in worship of him. We praise him best when we allow ourselves to be focused fully on the grandeur of who he is. Certainly, there are times when measured, reflective approaches to God are appropriate. But when was the last time you found yourself so wrapped up in praise of him that you were simply lost in the love of the one who gave his Son so that you might live eternally? V. E. B. Why to Do It (vv. 3-5) 3a. For the LORD is the great God, The transitional word for prepares to give reasons for the joyful music. Many cultures of the psalmist s day believe that the outcome of a war is determined by the nation that has the greater god. Israel often scored victories against great odds, and Israel s God was definitely greater (example: Exodus 12:12). Israel was defeated at other times, but those occasions were usually judgments by God when Israel had gone after other gods. The defeats were a part of God s plan as he disciplined his people to accomplish his purposes through them. 3b.... the great King above all gods. The second half of verse 3 reinforces the first half. The mention of gods is not a reference to angels nor is it meant to imply that other gods actually exist in any form except in imaginations and carvings of stone and wood (compare Psalms 82:1; 136:2; Galatians 4:8). Referring to the God of Israel as the great King (compare Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35) and as being above all gods (compare Psalms 96:4; 97:9; 135:5) are early affirmations for what Jesus will say when he boldly proclaims that all power belongs to him (Matthew 28:18). 4. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. Other so-called gods are imagined as ruling different areas to be the god of the sea, of the mountains (compare 1 Kings 20:23, 28), over a certain city or nation (11:33), etc. The God of Israel, however, is infinitely greater. The Hebrew behind the phrase the depths of the earth is used only here in the Old Testament, so the exact meaning is uncertain. But since the phrase the mountain peaks refers to the highest places on earth, it is logical to conclude that the depths of the earth refers to the lowest (compare Job 38:16). 6 6

7 Page 7 of 14 These two opposites are thus all encompassing. God rules everything. No matter where you may go, the Lord is already there under the sea, on top of Mount Everest, with astronauts in a space laboratory, or anywhere in the universe. Similar thoughts are given expression by King David in Psalm 139. What Do You Think? What experience with the grandeur of nature gives you the greatest sense of God s presence and power? Why is that? Talking Points for Your Discussion In a deep place (Grand Canyon, etc.) On a high place (Pike s Peak, etc.) During a specific season (winter, etc.) Other 5. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Again the psalmist (David) contrasts two opposites. This time the contrasts are the sea and the dry land. Two things are stated about the sea: that it belongs to the Lord and that he made it. This again is parallelism since to create something implies ownership of what has been created. We don t want to miss the intent: this verse introduces the element of creation as another reason that God is to be praised in song. Made and formed, words from the creation account of Genesis, are used. Water is simply a part of God s creating the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1, 2; dry land is said to appear as the waters were gathered to one place (1:9). In the verse before us, however, the sea is said to be made, and the dry land is said to be formed. New perspectives are therefore developed in this poetic description of creation (compare Psalm 104:5-9). 7 7

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9 Page 9 of 14 Visual for Lesson 2. Have this visual on display as you pose the second discussion question associated with verse 7a. Given our modern scientific discoveries, we should have even more reason to sing praise to the God who made the heavens and the earth! This becomes all the more significant as we combine this fact with John 3:16, that God so loved the world the people who inhabit this speck in the universe that he sent his one and only Son for the salvation of those who believe in him. II. Exhortation to Worship (PSALM 95:6, 7A) A. Postures to Take (v. 6) 6. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; The flow of thoughts about the greatness of God leads to two things. First, the third invitation to come is given. The Hebrew is different from the come of either verse 1 or verse 2. The Hebrew word for come in the verse before us involves opposites, for it may mean to come or to go, depending on the context. The use of three different words for come should leave no doubt as to the psalmist s intent: all this is a decisive invitation to approach God for a specific reason. That reason, the second feature of this verse, is worship. The biblical concept for genuine worship is that of submission, the idea of giving honor to deity. The invitation therefore is for bowing and kneeling postures of submission before the Lord. Such is the appropriate response to the one who has made everything. Anyone who may be tempted to feel superior can find the cure by bowing and kneeling before Almighty God. The words of the Old and New Testaments associated with worship are words that depict bowing, humbly entreating, or doing obeisance. One suggestion is that this type of worship may be done by touching the floor with the forehead while on hands and knees. It is a demonstration that we are nothing when we compare ourselves with God. The verse under consideration is one of many Old Testament examples of falling before God. Revelation 4:10; 19:4, 5 provide New Testament examples. We keep in mind that true worship is primarily an attitude of the heart. When the heart is right before God, then it is appropriate also to stand and praise him (Exodus 33:10; 2 Chronicles 20:19). The worship leader who says Let s all stand and worship is usually giving an invitation for people to stand and sing, and we know what this leader means. Eventually the dictionaries may include singing as a definition for worship. The phrase the Lord our Maker has drawn two interpretations: (1) that God is the one who created people in general or (2) that God made the nation of Israel in particular. The former idea comes from the thoughts expressed in the previous verses of Psalm 95; the latter sense is found in the next verse below (compare Deuteronomy 32:6). God took a slave people that had never existed as a nation, but only as the descendants of a man named Israel. In Exodus 3:16, the 9 9

10 Page 10 of 14 distinction begins to appear between Israel as a nation in contrast with identification as a family. This designation becomes definite at the time of the fifth plague (Exodus 9:4), when Israel is contrasted with Egypt. THE STANDING POSTURE One recent December I was visiting my parents for my birthday. They live near a college town, and Handel s Messiah was being performed on campus that year. I had never been to a live performance of that composition, so I was delighted when they suggested we attend with their minister and his wife. The conductor presented the history of the oratorio along with some interesting anecdotes about the composer. In these opening remarks, he said that the Hallelujah Chorus (which concludes the second of the oratorio s three parts) often evokes a strong response: some will feel led to stand; others will then feel uncomfortable, not knowing how they should respond. He gave the audience freedom to decide as they would... to stand or not. I had heard the Hallelujah Chorus countless times, but what happened caught me off guard nonetheless. There was something different about being present at a live performance of it. When the piece began, something stirred inside of me and many others there. I stood, as did at least half of the audience. I was moved to reverence, awe, and tears as this piece struck me more viscerally than my own national anthem. Indeed, this felt to me like we were experiencing a kingdom anthem. Standing just seemed to be the right posture of worship for this occasion! V. E. Ezekiel Ee-zeek-ee-ul or Ee-zeek-yul. Galatians Guh-lay-shunz. Messiah Meh-sigh-uh. Moses Mo-zes or Mo-zez. Pentateuch Pen-ta-teuk. Psalter Saul-tur. HOW TO SAY IT B. Reasons for Reverence (v. 7a) 7a.... for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Two reasons are given for the exhortations to worship. First, worship is the reasonable thing to do considering all that the Lord has done as our God. In part, worship is a proclamation based on the fact that God has fulfilled the promises that he made to the patriarchs. He 10 10

11 Page 11 of 14 promised many nations from their descendants (Genesis 17:4), but only one of them is the special covenant nation the nation of Israel. Through that nation the Messiah would come at just the right time in history (Galatians 4:4). Israel was therefore a nation with privileges. At a later time, a prophet reminds the northern nation of Israel of the fact that it was the nation that God had specially chosen (Amos 3:2), so Israel was to be punished because of its sins. There is peril in privilege. The second reason for worship is similar to the first, but it uses familiar imagery of agriculture to make the point: we are the people of his pasture. The Bible frequently uses the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep to illustrate the special relationship between God and his people (examples: Psalm 23; 74:1; 79:13; 80:1; 100:3; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:12-14; Hebrews 13:20). What Do You Think? In what ways is your church a visible manifestation of God s shepherding care? What more can it do in this regard? Talking Points for Your Discussion Through church leaders Through specific ministries Other It is a blessing to be in the care of the one who said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). How appropriate for Christians to join together to sing to him and to worship him who is our shepherd! What Do You Think? What hymns or worship songs are especially meaningful to you in expressing themes found in today s psalm? Why is that? Talking Points for Your Discussion Music with the theme of God as Savior Music with the theme of God as King Music with the theme of God as Creator Music with the theme of God as Shepherd Other Conclusion A. What Is Worship? Several years ago, an article in a certain journal described worship as shouting praises to 11 11

12 Page 12 of 14 God, banging on drums and cymbals, jamming on electric guitars, dancing, waving, laughing, and other emotional actions. A preacher who read the article commented that that description sounded more like what Elijah witnessed at the contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:26-29). Worship is not easy to define to everyone s satisfaction, as the worship wars in some churches attest! Since a form of the word worship is used approximately 80 times in the New Testament, then surely the New Testament has explicit words of instruction about worship for the assembled church, doesn t it? The answer may surprise you: the New Testament never explicitly describes the church as coming together to worship or says that an assembly of Christians is a worship service. (The closest situations are in Acts 13:1, 3 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-21; 14:23-25.) Today s lesson should lead us to conclude that worship is at least reverence, including acts that demonstrate reverence, directed toward God. What is of the utmost importance is the heart of the individual. Is he or she in submission to God when singing or praying? This focus on the individual does not establish an exemption from being in a weekly assembly. The one who deliberately forsakes the assembly when he or she could attend does not have a truly submissive heart (compare Hebrews 10:25). May we worship together to declare the worth of God! He is a God indeed above all gods because he is the maker of all. B. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for the worship emphasis of Psalm 95! May I be in submission to you in all that I do because of your greatness. Grant that I may join with other believers in singing your praises. In Jesus name, amen. C. Thought To Remember God, and no other, is worthy of worship. INVOLVEMENT LEARNING Enhance your lesson with NIV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at or in the back of the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition). Into the Lesson Write this statement on the board before class begins: Worship is always a response to God s worthiness, or it is not worship at all. Cover the statement so that it cannot be seen. Begin class by saying, Our study is about a call to worship. It is a reasoned and reasonable 12 12

13 Page 13 of 14 call as the psalmist invites us to join him in affirming the worthiness of God. In that light, I propose that [reveal the hidden statement]. Ask, In what ways is this statement true? Jot learner responses on the board and discuss. Note that the word worship relates directly to worthiness. Into the Word Read today s text aloud. Then distribute handouts of, or otherwise display, the following list of names and descriptors of God: 1. Good shepherd; 2. Creator of mankind; 3. Savior; 4. King; 5. Creator of the earth; 6. Lord; 7. God of gods. Say, Let s look at today s text and note a verse or verses where the psalmist states or implies these names and descriptors of God. Work through the list item by item, jotting responses on the board. (Expected responses: 1 verse 7; 2 verse 6; 3 verse 1; 4 verse 3; 5 verse 5; 6 verses 1 and 3; 7 verse 3.) Alternative. Instead of the above, distribute copies of the What and Why activity from the reproducible page, which you can download. Have learners complete this individually or in pairs. It should take no more than three minutes. Next, have a vocal or instrumental soloist (whom you have invited in advance) sing or play an appropriate portion of each of the following compositions. When you signal your musician to pause, ask learners to match to a verse what was sung or played: A. Down in the Valley with My Savior I Would Go ; B. There s Within My Heart a Melody ; C. I Will Enter His Gates ; D. O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness ; E. O Worship the King ; F. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee ; G. God, Who Made the Earth ; H. The Lord Is My Shepherd. (Expected matches: A verse 4; B verse 2; C verse 2; D verse 6; E verse 3; F verse 1; G verse 5; H verse 7.) Of course, you may wish to choose other songs or hymns that are more familiar to your class. As each verse is identified with a composition, you will have an opportunity to offer further insights. Option: If you choose an instrumentalist over a vocalist, you can add a name that tune procedure similar to the old television game show of that title. Into Life Read Romans 12:1 aloud. Then invite learners to complete the following stimulus statements in light of that verse as you read them: 1. He gives reason for joy; therefore let us. 2. He is the rock of our salvation; therefore let us. 3. He is the great king; therefore let us. 4. He controls all of earth s elements; therefore let us. 5. He is worthy of worship; therefore let us. 6. He is our shepherd; therefore let us. 7. He is our Creator; therefore let us. 8. He is the only God who is a true God; therefore let us

14 Page 14 of 14 Distribute handouts that list the seven verses of today s text next to the seven days of the week, one each. Leave space between each pair of entries for learners to write a brief devotional thought each day of the week to come as they reflect on the associated verse. Say, If you wish, send each day s thoughts to me via , and I will combine them to send to all class members. Distribute copies of the Old 100 th and I" activity from the reproducible page. Ask volunteers to share with the class responses to the questions thereon. If time is short, this can be a takehome activity for personal reflection