What does Psalm 95:3 mean?
ESV: For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
NIV: For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
NASB: For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods,
CSB: For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.
NLT: For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.
KJV: For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
NKJV: For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.
Verse Commentary:
Ancient Israel was surrounded by nations who worshipped many false gods. Only the One True God, the Lord of Israel, actually exists (Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 45:21; John 1:1–2). When Scripture speaks of God being greater than other deities, the point is not that the Lord is the best choice among many. It's a reminder that the Lord is the omnipotent Creator, and other so-called "gods" are nothing (Exodus 18:11; Psalm 96:4; Psalm 135:5).
Because He is the One and Only God, the Lord deserves praise. He is the source of everything in creation (Genesis 1:1), so all His attributes are worthy of praise. He loves believers with an everlasting love (Psalm 103:17). His mercy and faithfulness have no end (Psalm 86:15). He is all-knowing and all-powerful (Daniel 2:20). His grace is unlimited (2 Corinthians 9:8). He is attentive to the prayers of His people (Psalm 65:2). He is alongside every believer (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5). He reigns supreme as King of kings (Revelation 19:16). He is far above all the false gods human beings have created.
When Elijah exposed the false god Baal, the people of Israel fell on their faces and rightly exclaimed, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God" (1 Kings 18:39). Isaiah 6:1 describes the Lord as "sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up." Revelation 7:9–12 gives readers a view of God as seated on a throne, and a great multitude cries out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Verse Context:
Psalm 95:1–5 opens with a call for grateful worship of God. Everything that exists is part of His creation—so His people ought to respond with their praise. The next section transitions to a warning about Israel's stubborn disobedience after the exodus from Egypt (Psalm 95:6–7).
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
"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).
Book Summary:
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.
Accessed 11/21/2024 9:48:54 AM
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