The Inspiration For Worship Series

The Inspiration for Worship

Psalm 95: 1-7

Just as with many of the Psalms, this particular Psalm is believed to have been sung by the Israelites as a song of worship. It was likely sung during the Feast of Tabernacles where the people constructed booths made of brush and dwelt in them to remember and celebrate the good hand of God as He led them through the wilderness and supplied their needs. (We don’t celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, but we would do well to remember where we were when God came to us, what He brought us from, and where He is leading us to!)

As this Psalm was sung, it was literally a call to worship. It served as a means of getting the people in tune with the Lord and their hearts prepared for worship. It brought inspiration to the people and encouraged heart-felt worship. I have learned that inspiration is vital to worship. I am convinced that much of the lack of worship in our day is due to a lack of recognition of God. We need to see Him in His glory and ourselves in our humanity. If we can get those in their proper perspective, I have no doubt that we will be inspired to worship. I want to examine the principles set forth in this Psalm as we consider: The Inspiration for Worship.

I. The Song of Worship (1-2)

A. A Song of Rejoicing – It is clear in both of these verses that this was a song of rejoicing. If, in fact, it was sung during the Feast of Tabernacles one can understand their jubilation; but even if it wasn’t, the people were singing a song of rejoicing. This should come as no surprise. The people of God had every reason to rejoice – belonging to the Lord is reason enough!

Worship isn’t limited to rejoicing, but it sure does help. There may be times when we are called upon to worship the Lord while going through a valley, but even then, the people of God ought to have a song of rejoicing within their hearts. Life may not always turn out as we desired, but even on our worst day, God is good! Nothing life can bring will ever change the fact that God has been good to me. I am confident that we all can find reason to rejoice today. If worship is our hearts and focus being consumed with God, worship will lead to rejoicing.

B. A Song of Redemption (1) – The people sang of the LORD, the Rock of their salvation. They lived on the other side of Calvary, but even then, they were mindful of the redemption of God. They were well aware that apart from Him, life was hopeless. They were reminded of the Exodus from bondage and the victory God had given. They sang of their Redeemer.

That certainly thrills my heart today. I remember a time in my life when I was much like the nation of Israel suffering in bondage. There was no hope within myself of ever being set free. I needed a Redeemer and He came in my time of need. I was set free from the bondage of sin and placed within His grasp. He brought me into a land of plenty and continually supplies my need.

The saved have a song to sing. We of all people ought to sing of our Redeemer. We have been purchased from the slave block of sin. We have been placed in the body of Christ. We have the blessed hope of an eternal inheritance. This world can’t offer or produce a song like ours.

C. A Song of Reflection (2) – The emphasis of this stanza was thanksgiving unto the Lord. Surely the people had reason to be thankful for all that God had done for them. He had met their needs in the past and He continued to care for them and guide them in the present.

We live in a day of little thanksgiving. We have been blessed beyond measure and yet we are so ungrateful. I fear many have reached the point that they expect to receive the blessings of God and live as if they almost demand it. We ought to be a people of thanksgiving, singing a song of reflection. What if today’s blessings were dependent on yesterday’s thanksgiving? There would likely be few blessings. May we never be guilty of withholding our thanksgiving to God.

II. The Sovereign of Worship (3-5) – The song of worship served as a call to worship, setting their affections toward the Lord, their Sovereign.

A. His Preeminence (3) – The LORD is a great God. Who is like unto our Lord? There are none like Him. There are none that compare to Him. It is beyond the human tongue to express or the human mind to comprehend all that God is.