Hovering over Psalm 95 this morning. A familiar psalm. The first part familiar because of a “chorus” we used to sing back in the day, the latter part because I’ve encountered it in the book of Hebrews (Heb. 3:7-8, Heb. 3:15, Heb. 4:7). And it’s the familiarity that arrests me this morning, because it seems to be mismatched.

How does — why does — a song that begins consumed with worship end concentrated on a warning? Is there a connection? Yeah, probably. So, what’s the connection? I’m wondering if it isn’t found in comparing the commands found in the song.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
       let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation!
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;
       let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
. . .
Oh 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.
Today, if you hear His voice,
       do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
       as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
when your fathers put Me to the test
       and put me to the proof,
       though they had seen My work.

(Psalm 95:1-2, 7-9 ESV)

Check out the commands. Three times the song listener is exhorted to “come”. To come sing. To come into God’s presence with thanksgiving. To come worship and bow down. And then, the fourth command; don’t harden your hearts, “don’t turn a deaf ear” (MSG).

Seems that if we’re not determined to sing songs that adore and glorify the Lord, then, like the example of those wilderness wanderers the psalmist refers to, we may be prone to saying stuff that accuses and groans against the Lord. If we are not going to praise, we may find ourselves putting God to the test. If we refuse to worship and bow down, don’t be surprised if we find ourselves whining and being disdainful.

If we’re half-hearted when it comes to giving God the glory He is due are we in danger of becoming hard-hearted and some day giving God more grief than we dare? I’m wondering . . .

So, let’s sing. Let’s make a joyful noise. Let’s worship and bow down. Let’s not give our hearts the opportunity to become calloused.

For He is the LORD! He is the Rock of our salvation! He is the LORD, our Maker! He is our God!

Hear His voice, “Come!”

Worship by His grace. Worship in His grace.

Worship for His glory.