Psalm 95 is a call to worship, but it is more. It also explains how and why we should worship, and warns of what can happen if we don’t. In three stanzas we find three ways to worship the LORD with our whole being. First, we worship with OPEN MOUTHS (v 1-5). The psalmist encourages us to come into the presence of God and sing His praises. Two times he says the goal is to make a “joyful noise,” which seems to set the bar low in terms of a standard of excellence for participation! The emphasis here is on exuberance and joy, reminding us that worship shouldn’t always be quiet and restrained. But it’s not driven by mindless emotion. There are rational grounds for such a spirited response. Our God is the Creator and Sustainer of the world. This immense and varied universe is both hand-shaped and hand-held. All of it belongs to the LORD. He is a great God, a great King; and He is the rock of our salvation! When His love becomes real to us, our joy should be uncontainable. Second, we worship with BOWED KNEES (v 6-7a). The three verbs “worship… bow down… kneel” all speak of getting low before the LORD. If open mouths represent joyful praise, bowed knees signify reverent humility. Without this, our exuberance may come across as shrill or self-centered. To bow our knees before the LORD is to admit our sinfulness and our dependence on His grace. Adoration should always be accompanied by repentance. The reason for kneeling is that our Creator has become our Redeemer. Our “Maker” has graciously made us His people. This realization should be enough to bring us low in humble gratitude. We are like sheep in the care of a Good Shepherd. He calls us by name and leads us out. The “hand” that sustains the world (v 4) and made the world (v 5) is the hand that holds you! (v 7). Third, we worship with SOFT HEARTS (v 7b-11). Until now, the psalm was flowing beautifully. Each phrase could easily be put to music or turned into artwork for the walls of our homes. But suddenly the soothing song becomes a hard-hitting sermon with an unexpected warning. After the people of Israel came out of Egypt, they put God to the test by their quarreling with Moses and their sinful unbelief. So the warning is this: if you want to truly worship God, make sure you do not harden your heart against Him. Worship must be based on the preaching of God’s Word, but if it does not lead to obedience, our worship is hypocritical and only calls down the judgment of God. The time to soften your heart is not someday, but “today.” For further meditation: