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Psalm 95 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
All worship is not equal.
There are many today who bring false worship before the Father. Coming before Him with selfish ambition or prideful arrogance, they are no different than the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. It sounds harsh, but these are the words spoken by God in the book of Amos.
The LORD says, “I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! 22 When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. 23 Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. 24 Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.
Amos 5:21-24 GNB
Their worship was hypocritical. It was dishonest. Even worse, it was meaningless. The people came to God only when they needed Him for something. They lived reckless and sinful lives void of any real attempt at repentance. When performed with a corrupt heart, their worship was rejected. In fact, God stated He would no longer accept their sacrifices.
“This would have amazed – and offended – those in Israel who heard Amos say this. They told themselves that they were really honoring God and pleasing Him by their observance of the feasts and sacred assemblies, but God was offended by their religious ceremonialism, disconnected from the heart and justice towards one another.”
David Guzik
In Matthew, Jesus gives us a solid New Testament application for this issue.
So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
Matthew 5:23-24 GNB
Echoing the same heart of God, Jesus puts the emphasis and priority on relationships. If we aren’t loving people (i.e. repenting of our sins against others, forgiving others for their sins, and living in peace with other believers) we have no business trying to come before God with a humble heart. In fact, if we really do come before God in humility, we will probably be convicted of how we’ve treated our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Psalm 95 is a reminder that God does not want worshipers who just go through the motions. There is a commandment to love one another unconditionally and increase in mercy, justice, and humility. This is evident in how we treat one another. What would other believers say about how you’ve treated them?