Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:6-7)
The Psalms are intensely personal, that anyone can see, but they are also corporate. The way the Psalmists write of their relationship with God so regularly in first person singular is a comfort to the soul. However, in our individualistic society there seems to me more "me" religion, and less "us" relationships. Many are unconcerned and completely uninterested in the state of their neighbor's soul, even if that neighbor sits next to them at church on Sunday. It has become a virtue in modern times to keep one's nose in one's own business, especially where matters of faith are concerned. You will not find such a virtue in the word of God. Those who love the Lord and live to praise him are concerned that others join them. Concerned enough to evangelize and disciple. Concerned enough to affirm a friend as well as warn or even chastise him if necessary.
In Psalm 95 we find encouragement to worship followed by solemn warning. The words of verses 6 and 7 are beautiful and familiar. "Come let US worship and bow down." Worship is not dependent on crowds. It can take place in solitude, but the nature of genuine worship of our Creator and Shepherd requires that we desire others to join us in worship. When we have seen the great worth of our God and Savior, then we will wish for His worth to be exclaimed by every tongue, for His glory, and also for their good. It is he who has made us and not we ourselves. We long for all of His sheep, all those who hear His voice, to lift their voices and sing His praise.
As I read this Psalm I cannot help but hear the popular tune to which it has been set in recent years. However, when these words are sung to that beautiful tune they stop just before the warning and of course repeat the chorus again- "Come let us worship and bow down...." But the warning goes hand in hand with the call to worship. There have been some before us who hardened their heart, though they had seen God's work. (Psalm 95:8-9) Those were prohibited from entering God's eternal rest. The call to worship is a call to listen to God and respond. Worship is the right response to hearing God speak. Hardness of heart is the sinful response. We are called by the scriptures to compel one another to listen and worship. Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts, but come, bow down with us, and worship Him who made us for His glory.
Amen
ReplyDelete