◄ Psalm 95:3 ►
For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
Study Bible
For the LORD
The term "LORD" in this context is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and unchanging nature. In the conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the personal and relational aspect of God, who is not distant but intimately involved with His creation. The use of "LORD" here sets the stage for understanding His supremacy and authority.

is a great God
The word "great" in Hebrew is "gadol," which signifies magnitude and importance. This phrase underscores the incomparable nature of God, who is not just one among many but is supreme in power, wisdom, and holiness. In the historical context, this declaration would have been a bold statement against the backdrop of polytheistic cultures surrounding Israel, affirming the monotheistic belief that Yahweh alone is the true God.

a great King
The term "King" (Hebrew: "melek") conveys sovereignty and rule. In ancient times, a king was the ultimate authority in a land, and this imagery is used to describe God's dominion over the universe. For the Israelites, acknowledging God as King was a reminder of His governance and providence. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this affirms God's rightful rule over all creation and His active involvement in the affairs of the world.

above all gods
The phrase "above all gods" reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where many nations worshiped a pantheon of deities. The Hebrew word for "gods" is "elohim," which can refer to divine beings or idols. This statement is a clear declaration of monotheism, asserting that any other so-called gods are inferior and powerless compared to Yahweh. In the conservative Christian tradition, this is a call to exclusive worship and allegiance to the one true God, rejecting idolatry in all its forms.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His people.

2. God (Elohim)
A term used to denote the supreme deity, emphasizing His power and majesty.

3. King
A title that signifies authority, sovereignty, and governance, highlighting God's supreme rule over all creation.

4. Gods
Refers to the false gods or idols worshiped by other nations, emphasizing the supremacy of Yahweh over all other deities.
Teaching Points
God's Supremacy
Recognize and affirm the LORD's supreme authority over all creation and other so-called gods.

Worship and Reverence
Our worship should reflect the greatness of God, acknowledging His unmatched power and majesty.

Rejecting Idolatry
In a world filled with distractions and false idols, we must remain steadfast in our devotion to the one true God.

God's Sovereignty in Our Lives
Trust in God's sovereign rule over our personal circumstances, knowing He is the great King above all.

Encouragement in Trials
In times of trouble, remember that the LORD, our great God, is in control and worthy of our trust and praise.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does recognizing the LORD as a "great God" and "great King" influence your daily worship and prayer life?

2. In what ways can you actively reject modern-day idols and focus on the supremacy of God in your life?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty provide comfort and assurance during difficult times?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your life reflects the reverence due to a "great King above all gods"?

5. How can the truths found in Psalm 95:3 encourage you to share your faith with others, especially those who may follow other beliefs or idols?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 15:11
This verse highlights the uniqueness and incomparability of God among the so-called gods, reinforcing His supreme power and majesty.

Deuteronomy 10:17
Describes God as the "God of gods and Lord of lords," emphasizing His ultimate authority and power.

1 Chronicles 16:25
Declares the greatness of the LORD and His worthiness to be praised above all other gods.

Psalm 96:4-5
Reinforces the idea that the LORD is to be feared above all gods, as the gods of the nations are idols.

Revelation 19:16
Refers to Jesus as the "King of kings and Lord of lords," connecting the Old Testament understanding of God's kingship to the New Testament revelation of Christ.
Sermons
God of GodsT. Sanderson.Psalm 95:3
On the Existence, Greatness, and Government of GodW. Barns.Psalm 95:3
Christ the Rock of Our SalvationJ. W. Hardman, LL.D.Psalm 95:1-11
Inciting One Another to Praise GodPsalm 95:1-11
Praise the Outcome of Divine InfluencePsalm 95:1-11
PsalmodyJ. W. Reeve, M.A.Psalm 95:1-11
Public Worship - its Necessity and AdvantageC. Short Psalm 95:1-11
The Genesis of PraiseW. G. Horder.Psalm 95:1-11
The Grandest of Creature ServicesHomilistPsalm 95:1-11
The Invitatory PsalmS. Conway Psalm 95:1-11
The VeniteD. Laing, M.A.Psalm 95:1-11
People
Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Gods
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 95:3

     1130   God, sovereignty
     5369   kingship, divine
     8136   knowing God, effects

Psalm 95:1-3

     8624   worship, reasons

Psalm 95:3-6

     1090   God, majesty of

Psalm 95:3-7

     8608   prayer, and worship

Library
Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

O Come, Loud Anthems Let us Sing
[1180]Park Street: Frederick M. A. Venua, c. 1810 Psalm 95 Tate and Brady, 1698; Alt. DOXOLOGY O come, loud anthems let us sing, Loud thanks to our almighty King, And high our grateful voices raise, As our Salvation's Rock we praise. Into his presence let us haste To thank him for his favors past; To him address, in joyful songs, The praise that to his Name belongs. For God the Lord, enthroned in state, Is with unrivaled glory great; The depths of earth are in his hand, Her secret wealth at his …
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA

Weighed, and Found Wanting
'And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3. And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4. And they said one …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Temporary Hardening.
"Lord, why hast Thou hardened our heart? "--Isa. lxiii. 17. That there is a hardening of heart which culminates in the sin against the Holy Spirit can not be denied. When dealing with spiritual things we must take account of it; for it is one of the most fearful instruments of the divine wrath. For, whether we say that Satan or David or the Lord tempted the king, it amounts to the same thing. The cause is always in man's sin; and in each of these three cases the destructive fatality whereby sin poisons …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Epistle xxxi. To Phocas, Emperor .
To Phocas, Emperor [218] . Gregory to Phocas Augustus. Glory to God in the highest who, according as it is written, changes times, and transfers kingdoms, seeing that He has made apparent to all what He vouchsafed to speak by His prophet, That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Dan. iv. 17). For in the incomprehensible dispensation of Almighty God there are alternate controlments of mortal life; and sometimes, when the sins of many are to be smitten, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Fundamental Oneness of the Dispensations.
Hebrews iii. i-iv. 13 (R.V.). "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High-priest of our confession, even Jesus; who was faithful to Him that appointed Him as also was Moses in all his house. For He hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some one; but He that built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity the Careful Walk of the Christian.
Text: Ephesians 5, 15-21. 15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk [See then that ye walk circumspectly], not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Shepherd and the Fold
... Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation.' EXODUS XV. 13. What a grand triumphal ode! The picture of Moses and the children of Israel singing, and Miriam and the women answering: a gush of national pride and of worship! We belong to a better time, but still we can feel its grandeur. The deliverance has made the singer look forward to the end, and his confidence in the issue is confirmed. I. The guiding God: or the picture of the leading. The original is 'lead gently.' Cf. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer. 2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius. Answer by a distinction. Answer fortified by passages from Augustine, and supported by the authority of an Apostle. 3. Third absurdity borrowed from the words of Chrysostom. Answer by a negative. 4. Fourth absurdity urged of old by the Pelagians. Answer from the works of Augustine. Illustrated by the testimony …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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