Psalm 95:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They shall not enter my rest."

NIV: So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ "

NASB: Therefore I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest.'

CSB: So I swore in my anger, "They will not enter my rest."

NLT: So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’'

KJV: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

NKJV: So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

God's anger came on the Israelite generation who first left Egypt. He used wonders to free them from slavery (Exodus 3:20; 12:41). He used miracles to provide water (Exodus 15:22–26) and food (Exodus 16:2–3, 12–14). Yet they "tested" Him by complaining they would die of thirst (Exodus 17:1–7). They refused to follow His will about moving forward into Canaan to take the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1–4). Because of the people's refusal to trust the Lord and enter Canaan, the Lord sentenced them to forty years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14:28–32). This was to ensure that everyone in that faithless generation would die and never see the successful conquest of the land. Only their children would have that privilege.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer cites this psalm (Hebrews 3:7–11, 15; 4:3–7). The reference supports a warning: that Christians ought to obey God, rather than giving in to fear. God expects His people to move forward, following what He tells us (Hebrews 1:1–2). Disobedience due to a lack of faith, or plain stubbornness, means losing out on the "rest" which comes through cooperating. Here, the psalmist, urges the people to commit to obeying God immediately, rather than waiting to suffer the consequences (Psalm 95:7).

Psalm 95:8–11 refers to the incident recorded in Exodus 17, and potentially a similar incident in Numbers 20. Despite all the Lord had done for Israel, the people "tested" Him with doubt. A similar obstinate lack of trust arose when the nation was supposed to take the Promised Land (Numbers 13—14). For this, God denied His "rest" to an entire generation of Israelites. The book of Hebrews (Hebrews 3:7–11, 15, 4:3–7) applies this idea to show that even saved believers can experience a loss of divine fellowship and blessing when we doubt and resist God's Word.

The psalm begins with a call to worship, gratitude, and celebration of the Lord. God is great and a great King above all gods. He rules over the oceans and lands, which He created. The psalmist then turns to a warning about a time when Israel resisted the Lord's leadership. That entire generation was denied God's "rest," including being barred from entering the Promised Land.

"Enthronement" psalms make up this portion of Scripture. Because they speak of God's rule, they are also labelled "theocratic." Psalms 24, 27, 93, and 96—99 have similar themes. These songs anticipate the Lord God ruling over the entire world. This perspective often aims at the future when the Messiah Jesus will personally oversee earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4). The last portion of the song is quoted in the New Testament book of Hebrews (Hebrews 3:7–11, 15, 4:3–7).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.