Let us sing with joy to the Rock of our salvation

On this occasion we will talk about Psalm 95, a psalm of great importance in the biblical narrative and in the life of worship of the people of God. This psalm is quoted directly in chapter 4 of the Epistle to the Hebrews, where the inspired author makes reference to David as its writer, even though the psalm itself does not explicitly name an author. Regardless of the discussion about authorship, what is undeniable is that Psalm 95 is filled with clear exhortations, commands, and invitations to give praise and worship to God.

Psalm 95 not only calls us to praise, but also teaches us how and why we should praise. It combines joyful worship with reverence, enthusiasm with humility, and celebration with obedience. For this reason, it remains a timeless psalm for the church today.

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 95:1-2

Let us sing

There are various ways in which a believer can glorify God. We glorify Him through obedience, through a holy life, through acts of love, mercy, and justice. However, there is a form of worship that Scripture emphasizes repeatedly and explicitly commands, and that is singing to the Lord.

In Psalm 95, the psalmist begins with an invitation: “O come.” This is a call to gather, to unite, and to worship together. Worship is not meant to be merely an individual act; it is also a communal expression of faith. The psalmist then says, “Let us sing unto the Lord.” Singing is not presented as optional, but as a natural and expected response to who God is and what He has done.

The object of this singing is very clear: “the rock of our salvation.” God is described as a rock, a symbol of stability, security, and faithfulness. In a world full of uncertainty, God is the unmovable foundation upon which His people stand. Singing to Him is an acknowledgment that our salvation does not come from ourselves, nor from human strength, but from the Lord alone.

Throughout Scripture, singing plays a central role in worship. The people of Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea. David sang in times of joy and in times of distress. The early church sang hymns together. Singing unites doctrine with emotion, truth with affection, and faith with expression.

As we have mentioned in other reflections, the Bible constantly commands us to sing to God:

Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

Psalm 33:2-3

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 5:11

These verses reinforce the same truth: singing is a God-ordained expression of worship. It is not about musical talent alone, but about a heart that rejoices in God and desires to glorify Him.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving

Psalm 95 not only calls us to sing, but also teaches us the attitude with which we should approach God: thanksgiving. “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,” says the psalmist. Worship that lacks gratitude quickly becomes empty and mechanical.

Thanksgiving reminds us of who God is and what He has done. It keeps us humble, aware that everything we have is by grace. A thankful heart recognizes salvation as a gift, not an achievement. When we approach God with gratitude, our worship becomes sincere and pleasing to Him.

Coming before God’s presence also implies reverence. God is near, but He is also holy. Thanksgiving guards us against pride and entitlement. It helps us remember that we are approaching the Creator of heaven and earth, not merely expressing our emotions.

Make a joyful noise

In verses one and two, the psalmist repeats an expression that deserves special attention: “make a joyful noise.” This repetition emphasizes its importance. Worship, according to this psalm, is not silent or apathetic; it is expressive and full of joy.

What does it mean to make a joyful noise? First, it implies enthusiasm. The Hebrew expression conveys loud rejoicing, shouting, and celebration. This does not suggest disorder, but heartfelt intensity. True worship engages the whole person—mind, heart, and body.

Second, this expression has a communal dimension. A “joyful noise” is usually produced by a group, not just one individual. It reflects the united voices of the congregation praising God together. There is something powerful about collective worship, when believers lift their voices as one to honor the Lord.

This joyful noise can include singing, clapping, and verbal expressions of praise. The key element is joy that flows from knowing God. Worship that lacks joy often reflects a shallow understanding of salvation. When we truly grasp what God has done for us, joy naturally overflows.

It is important to note that joy in worship is not dependent on circumstances. The psalms were often written in times of difficulty, exile, or suffering. Yet the call to joyful praise remains. Joy is rooted not in comfort, but in confidence in God.

Praise as obedience

Psalm 95 later transitions from praise to warning, reminding the people not to harden their hearts as Israel did in the wilderness. This connection teaches us that true worship is inseparable from obedience. Singing and joyful noise are meaningless if they are not accompanied by a submissive heart.

The author of Hebrews uses Psalm 95 to warn believers about unbelief and disobedience. This shows us that praise is not merely emotional expression, but a response to God’s voice. Worship includes listening, trusting, and obeying.

When we sing to God, we are not only expressing joy, but also declaring allegiance. We are saying that He is our rock, our salvation, and our Lord. Such declarations demand a life that reflects that confession.

Let us praise our God together

Dear brothers and sisters, Psalm 95 is a powerful reminder that worship is both joyful and reverent, expressive and obedient, personal and communal. It calls us to sing, to give thanks, and to rejoice together before the Lord.

Let us not approach worship casually or mechanically. Let us sing with understanding, gratitude, and joy. Let our voices unite as a testimony that the Lord is our rock and our salvation.

May our churches be places where praise flows naturally from hearts transformed by grace. And may our daily lives reflect the worship we offer with our lips. Dear brothers, let us sing and praise our God together, with joy, reverence, and truth.