Day 181

O Worship the King

Read: Psalms 90-95

Most of the psalms in Book 4 seem to be intended for public worship. While most are anonymous, Psalm 90 is ascribed to Moses. It is commonly used at funerals. Isaac Watts loosely paraphrased it in the familiar hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”

Psalm 91 expresses faith in God’s care in time of danger. It echoes the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32 and some of the psalms of David. Psalm 92 is entitled “Song for the Sabbath” and shows that the Sabbath was not only a day of rest but also of corporate worship, a “holy convocation” as it is called in Leviticus. It reminds us that this day is intended to be a day of joy, not a burden. It is also a test of faith, since increasingly others use it for work and play rather than for rest and worship. God wants Sunday to be a day in which we receive spiritual blessings.

Psalms 93 and 95-99 emphasize God as king. Several of them begin with the line “The Lord reigns.” In the midst of these psalms, Psalm 94 emphasizes God as judge and calls upon him to execute his judgment upon the wicked.

From ancient times the church has used Psalm 95 as a call to worship, entitling it “Venite,” which is Latin for “O come.” Hebrews 3 and 4 pick up the theme of the urgency of response to the Word of God by stressing the word today.

PRAYER
Father, may our worship be more meaningful and give us grace to respond to your Word today. In Christ. Amen.