From the Organ Bench

Psalm 95
Psalm 95 frequently appears throughout the cycle of lectionary readings. It employs liturgical language and was probably sung during the Hebrew autumn festival. Closely related to Psalm 81 in theme, content and application, Psalm 95 begins with a call to worship. Verses 1-2 is a community invitation to worship: Come! Let us sing to the LORD. Let us shout to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His face with thanksgiving, With songs, let us extol Him. The mood of the congregation is one of joy. The excited anticipation of worshipping the LORD in the Sanctuary, encourages the community to engage in a full, active participation in the liturgy. The bishops of the II Vatican Council only restated a liturgical norm (Sacrosanctum Concilium,14) rooted in ancient practice. In the introductory rites of this autumn festival liturgy, the gathered community: sings - with joy; shouts praise - acclaim gives witness to or gives testimony to the LORD - extols With more songs (psalms) of gratitude (thankfulness). This is the liturgical directive of Psalm 95. All of this preparatory action is packed in the opening verses. The community joyfully surrenders to the LORDS glory. His Presence actually fills the place of worship. The community expects to come before His face (presence). Thus, the liturgical gesture and posture is one of bowing down and kneeling before the LORD. This prayer response follows the material in verses three through five. The bowing and kneeling is a public acknowledgment of the LORDS status as Creator and Redeemer. The LORD is the great God, The great King above all gods. In the LORDS hands are the depths of the earth, And the mountain peaks belong to Him.

The sea is His, for He made it. And His hands formed the dry land. Behind the poetry of these particular verses, is a reflection of popular culture and the worldview of non-covenantal peoples. The sea and the underworld belonged to other powers. In Sheol who can give You praise? - Ps.6:5 Do the shades rise up to praise Thee? - Ps.88:10 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any that go down into silence. - Ps. 115:17 The high mountains were viewed as the dwelling place of the gods. O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan - Ps. 68:15 Tabor and Hermon joyously praise Thy name - Ps.89:12 In verses 3,4,5, the psalmists intentionally destroys the powers of other gods by professing the creative abilities of his God. The power of the LORD is limitless. The power of the LORD is an unshakeable foundation. The power of the LORD is salvation. For these reasons, the LORD is due praise and thanksgiving from every creature. Verse 6 is an image of a humbled congregation before the LORD. This group of worshippers identifies itself as a community belonging to the Great God in a way that is personal, bonding, and intimate. For he is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.
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Delma Rouleau 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 4 September 2011