Venite adoremus Dominum Regem (Salmo 95)

Abstract

Psalm 95, a liturgical hymn to Yhwh-King, is a coherent literary composition. Its seemingly heterogeneous features converge in the solemn worship of the divine kingship. The exaltation of God by the cultic assembly in the Jerusalem temple consists of praise (vv.1-5) and of adoration (vv.6-11). The rationale of tôdâ resides in the greatness and sovereignty of the Creator who rules over the entire world. The motive for proskynesis is threefold: (1) the covenant between the Fashioner of Israel and his people, (2) an exhortation to be docile to Yhwh’s voice and (3) an admonition to avoid stubbornness, a mistake made by the Meriba generation.