Transformed by Truth: A Call to Joyful Worship - Psalm 95:1-2
Introduction
Good morning, church! Today, we are diving into a beautiful psalm of praise that not only celebrates the greatness of our God but also calls us to a life transformed by His truth. Psalm 95:1-2 says:
"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him." (Psalm 95:1-2, NLT)
I want us to explore how God's truth, found in His Word, transforms us to worship Him with joy, gratitude, and wholehearted devotion. We’ll focus on three key truths:
Joyful worship flows from recognising God as our Saviour.
Thankful worship arises from a heart that remembers God's blessings.
Praise-filled worship is a response to God’s unchanging character.
Let us journey through these truths together, allowing God’s Word to renew our hearts and minds.
1. Joyful Worship Flows from Recognising God as Our Saviour
"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation." (Psalm 95:1, NLT)
This psalm is an invitation to communal worship. The phrase "sing to the Lord" is not merely a suggestion; it’s a summons for the people of God to express their joy and gratitude together. The psalmist refers to God as the "Rock of our salvation," a powerful metaphor that highlights God’s stability, strength, and faithfulness as the foundation of our deliverance.
In the Hebrew text, the word translated "rock" is tsur, which conveys an image of an unmovable, unshakable foundation. This title is often used in the Old Testament to describe God’s reliability and strength, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4: "He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair."
Why do we worship joyfully? Because God is the unchanging Rock of our salvation. He has delivered us, not only from temporal challenges but, ultimately, from the power of sin through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
The joy we experience in worship is rooted in this truth: our salvation is secure in Christ. Let this truth transform how you approach worship. When you sing, sing with the understanding that your Saviour has already won the victory for you.
Imagine a drowning person being rescued by a lifeguard. The moment they realise they’re safe, they’re overcome with gratitude and joy. That’s how we should feel every time we consider the salvation Christ has secured for us.
Pastor Tim Keller once said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
2. Thankful Worship Arises from a Heart that Remembers God’s Blessings
"Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him." (Psalm 95:2, NLT)
The word "thanksgiving" in Hebrew is todah, which refers to an offering of thanks often accompanied by a public declaration of God’s deeds. This is not a private gratitude but an outward expression of appreciation for what God has done.
Psalm 103:2 further encourages us: "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Forgetfulness leads to ingratitude, but remembrance fuels thanksgiving.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to remember God’s mighty acts—how He delivered them from Egypt, provided manna in the wilderness, and led them to the Promised Land. Similarly, we are called to recount God’s blessings in our lives.
James 1:17 tells us: "Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow." Recognising God as the source of all good gifts shifts our perspective from entitlement to gratitude.
Think of a parent giving their child a gift. When the child acknowledges the giver with a "thank you," it deepens the relationship. Thanksgiving in worship is our way of saying "thank you" to God for His blessings.
Author Ann Voskamp wrote, “The practice of giving thanks... awakens me to a God giving Himself in the midst of the moment.”
3. Praise-Filled Worship is a Response to God’s Unchanging Character
"Let us sing psalms of praise to him." (Psalm 95:2, NLT)
The psalmist calls us to "sing psalms of praise," which, in Hebrew, is zamar—to make music or celebrate with singing. This praise is not dependent on circumstances but on God’s eternal nature.
Hebrews 13:8 affirms this: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Because God’s character never changes, our worship remains steadfast regardless of life’s ups and downs.
God’s faithfulness throughout history inspires our praise. From the creation of the world to the redemption through Christ, God has consistently shown His love, mercy, and power. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us: "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
When we sing praises, we align our hearts with this truth: God is worthy of worship not because of what He does but because of who He is.
A lighthouse stands firm, guiding ships safely regardless of the storm. Similarly, God’s unchanging nature is our anchor, deserving of our constant praise.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Our happy God should be worshipped by a happy people; a cheerful spirit is in keeping with His nature.”
Conclusion: A Call to Action
God’s truth transforms us into joyful, thankful, and praise-filled worshippers. Let us commit to:
Recognising Jesus as the Rock of our salvation.
Living in gratitude for God’s blessings.
Praising Him for His unchanging character.
This week, make it a point to start each day by reflecting on a reason to thank God. Share your testimony of His goodness with someone who needs encouragement.
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, today is the perfect opportunity. The same God who invites you to worship is the God who offers you salvation. Romans 10:9 promises: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Invitation
As we close, I invite you to commit or recommit your life to Jesus. Let Him transform your heart and fill your life with His joy, gratitude, and peace.
Let us pray.
