Psalm 95
Come, let us praise the Lord,
with joy our God acclaim, his greatness tell abroad and bless his saving Name. Lift high your songs before his throne to whom alone all praise belongs.
Our God of matchless worth,
our King beyond compare,
the deepest bounds of earth,
the hills, are in his care.
He all decrees,
who by his hand
prepared the land
and formed the seas.
In worship bow the knee,
our glorious God confess;
the great Creator, he,
the Lord our Righteousness.
He reigns unseen:
his flock he feeds
and gently leads
in pastures green.
Come, hear his voice today,
receive what love imparts;
his holy will obey
and harden not your hearts.
His ways are best;
and lead at last,
all troubles past,
to perfect rest.
Timothy Dudley Smith © 1984 Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188
You can hear the tune suggested for this hymn, Darwell’s 148th, here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6xQy2LnW5M
Reflection
Those who grew up with the Book of Common Prayer (not the average Daily Devotions reader, I accept) will know this Psalm well, as part of Morning prayer, also known as Matins. It is widely known as the Venite from its first word ‘come’. What can it say to us, whether we know it well or not?
This Psalm speaks of the choice to pay attention to God. We might do that through reading or through prayer in church, but do we pay attention to God in the events of our lives through the week? They may be simple choices, or more complex life decisions. Do we pay attention to God in our care for the creation which clearly mattered to the Psalmist? This Psalm is an invitation to reflect upon whether we ever confuse our perspective with what we are able to discern as God’s perspective.
This Psalm also speaks of God’s sovereignty. Our spiritual ancestor John Calvin wrote of God’s power and our total dependence upon God. The Psalmist puts this as the rock, the Maker, and the shepherd. To those of us who think we might have some power or influence, this is an unwelcome reminder that God is in charge, not us.
Psalm 95 does not show how God’s power is known in every situation, but it does encourage us to think about the difference between our will and God’s will, and it does encourage us to be aware of the difference between what we plan and what God plans.
Prayer
Teach me your ways, Lord:
help me to see that it’s all about you
and not always all about me. Amen.
