‏ Psalms 95

* part. An exhortation to praise God. (1-7) A warning not to

tempt Him. (7-11)1-7 Whenever we come into God's presence, we must come with

thanksgiving. The Lord is to be praised; we do not want matter,

it were well if we did not want a heart. How great is that God,

whose the whole earth is, and the fulness thereof; who directs

and disposes of all!, The Lord Jesus, whom we are here taught to

praise, is a great God; the mighty God is one of his titles, and

God over all, blessed for evermore. To him all power is given,

both in heaven and earth. He is our God, and we should praise

him. He is our Saviour, and the Author of our blessedness. The

gospel church is his flock, Christ is the great and good

Shepherd of believers; he sought them when lost, and brought

them to his fold. 7-11 Christ calls upon his people to hear his voice. You call

him Master, or Lord; then be his willing, obedient people. Hear

the voice of his doctrine, of his law, and in both, of his

Spirit: hear and heed; hear and yield. Christ's voice must be

heard to-day. This day of opportunity will not last always;

improve it while it is called to-day. Hearing the voice of

Christ is the same with believing. Hardness of heart is at the

bottom of all distrust of the Lord. The sins of others ought to

be warnings to us not to tread in their steps. The murmurings of

Israel were written for our admonition. God is not subject to

such passions as we are; but he is very angry at sin and

sinners. That certainly is evil, which deserves such a

recompence; and his threatenings are as sure as his promises.

Let us be aware of the evils of our hearts, which lead us to

wander from the Lord. There is a rest ordained for believers,

the rest of everlasting refreshment, begun in this life, and

perfected in the life to come. This is the rest which God calls

his rest