Exodus: A Group StudyUzorak

What is this passage saying?

The psalmist begins with exaltation and praise for a God who is worthy to be praised. He then warns the reader by calling back to the Israelites from Exodus 17 and how they hardened their hearts to God in Meribah and Massah.

What is this passage teaching?

This psalm begins by describing first the “how” of worship – through song, shouts of praise, and thanksgiving. Then, the psalmist describes the person we worship and why we should worship Him – Yahweh is a great God more than deserving of our praise. The psalm then becomes instructional, warning the Israelites not to revert to hardening their hearts as they did after they were delivered out of the land of Egypt.

How do I respond?

Has your heart become hard and calloused to God? Maybe you have recently been through a difficult season where God seemed absent, and His promises felt hollow. Maybe a tragedy long ago has slowly hardened your heart from feeling God’s presence or hearing His voice. Bitterness, anger, and frustration may provide temporary relief from your circumstances, but they always calcify your love for God and others. If you feel bitter and resentful today, I encourage you to remember what the psalmist says, “Yahweh is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:7). Yahweh is our good shepherd, always leading us to green pastures and protecting us from the danger of our enemies. God is neither scared of your bitterness nor put off by your resentment. Your brokenness is where He loves to dwell, mending and guiding you to wholeness and holiness in him.