Psalms 95:7

KJV

¶ For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

KJV (with Strong's)

For he is our God {H430}; and we are the people {H5971} of his pasture {H4830}, and the sheep {H6629} of his hand {H3027}. To day {H3117} if ye will hear {H8085} his voice {H6963},

Complete Jewish Bible

For he is our God, and we are the people in his pasture, the sheep in his care. If only today you would listen to his voice:

Berean Standard Bible

For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,

American Standard Version

For he is our God, And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day, oh that ye would hear his voice!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 95:7 serves as a pivotal hinge within the psalm, transitioning from an exuberant call to worship and adoration of God as Creator and King to a profound and urgent warning. It articulates the intimate covenant relationship between God and His people, depicting Him as the benevolent Shepherd who owns, cares for, and guides His flock, while simultaneously issuing an immediate and critical imperative to "hear His voice" today, lest they fall into the same disobedience and spiritual hardening that plagued their ancestors in the wilderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 95 is a psalm of both praise and warning, traditionally used in Jewish and Christian liturgy as an invitation to worship. The first six verses (Psalms 95:1-6) are a joyful summons to acknowledge God's greatness as the supreme King and Creator, urging His people to "come, let us sing unto the Lord" and "worship and bow down." Verse 7 marks a significant thematic shift. The initial declaration, "For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand," solidifies the intimate, covenantal bond between Yahweh and Israel, setting the stage for a conditional statement: "To day if ye will hear his voice." This condition directly precedes and introduces the stern admonition in the subsequent verses (Psalms 95:8-11), which recount Israel's rebellion and hardening of heart at Meribah and Massah during the wilderness wanderings, culminating in God's oath that they would not enter His rest. Thus, verse 7 acts as a crucial bridge, linking the privilege of belonging to God with the responsibility of immediate obedience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of God as a Shepherd and His people as a flock was deeply resonant in the ancient Near East, where shepherding was a foundational aspect of life and a common metaphor for leadership. Kings and deities were often depicted as shepherds of their people. For Israel, this imagery evoked a profound sense of divine care, provision, and protection, contrasting sharply with the often oppressive human rulers. The warning "To day if ye will hear his voice" directly alludes to the historical events of the Exodus, specifically the rebellion at [Meribah and Massah](/exodus/17-1 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim") (Numbers 20:1-13; Deuteronomy 33:8), where the Israelites tested God's patience and hardened their hearts against His guidance despite His miraculous provision. This historical precedent served as a powerful cautionary tale, emphasizing the dire consequences of disobedience and unbelief, which resulted in that generation being barred from entering the promised land.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Shepherdly Care**, portraying God as the ultimate owner and compassionate provider for His people. The phrases "our God," "people of his pasture," and "sheep of his hand" highlight a relationship of intimate dependence and secure belonging under God's protective guidance, echoing the profound trust expressed in [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd"). Secondly, it introduces the critical theme of the **Urgency of Obedience and the Peril of Hardened Hearts**. The "To day" imperative is a profound call to immediate responsiveness to God's voice, emphasizing that the opportunity for faithful action is present and fleeting. This urgency is vital, as procrastination or resistance can lead to spiritual insensitivity and a hardened heart, a condition that prevents one from entering God's rest, as explicitly warned in [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") which directly quotes this psalm. These themes collectively call believers to a posture of continuous attentiveness and willing submission to their divine Shepherd.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʾElohim'_):** This term, a plural noun used with a singular verb, refers to the supreme, sovereign Creator of the universe. In this context, it emphasizes God's absolute authority and power, establishing Him as the rightful recipient of worship and the ultimate Shepherd of His people. It highlights His unique position as the one true God in contrast to any false deities.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shamaʿ'_):** More than mere auditory perception, _shamaʿ_ carries the profound meaning of listening attentively, understanding, and, most importantly, obeying. When the text says "hear his voice," it implies a receptive heart that not only perceives God's communication but also acts upon it. It signifies a responsive and submissive posture, where intellectual understanding translates into practical obedience.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yad'_):** The "hand" of God is a powerful anthropomorphic image symbolizing His active involvement, power, protection, and guidance. To be "the sheep of his hand" means to be under His direct, personal, and mighty care. It conveys a sense of security, provision, and intimate control, suggesting that God's people are precisely where He wants them to be, sustained and led by His sovereign power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he is our God;":** This initial clause establishes the fundamental covenant relationship. It declares God's rightful ownership and His unique status as the God of Israel, implying a reciprocal relationship of belonging and allegiance. It grounds the subsequent statements in the reality of divine-human connection.
* **"and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.":** This rich imagery elaborates on the covenant relationship, portraying God as the benevolent Shepherd and His people as His dependent flock. "People of his pasture" indicates His provision of sustenance, safety, and nourishment. "Sheep of his hand" further emphasizes His direct, personal, and protective guidance, signifying that His people are under His meticulous care and control, utterly reliant on Him for their well-being and direction.
* **"To day if ye will hear his voice,":** This is the critical turning point and conditional statement. "To day" introduces an urgent, immediate imperative, emphasizing that the opportunity for obedience is now, not in the future. The "if" clause highlights human responsibility and choice – the hearing of God's voice is not merely passive reception but an active, volitional act of listening and responding in obedience. This sets the stage for the warning against hardening hearts.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 95:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Imagery**, specifically the **Metaphor** of God as a Shepherd and His people as a flock of sheep. This vivid imagery immediately evokes a sense of protection, provision, guidance, and intimate care, making the abstract concept of God's relationship with humanity tangible and relatable. The phrase "people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand" is a classic example of **Parallelism**, where two phrases express similar ideas in slightly different ways, reinforcing the theme of divine ownership and care. Furthermore, the verse contains a crucial **Conditional Statement** ("if ye will hear his voice"), which introduces an element of human responsibility and choice, setting up the subsequent warning. The use of "To day" functions as an **Imperative** or a call to **Urgency**, emphasizing the immediacy and critical nature of responding to God's voice without delay. These devices work together to create a compelling and memorable call to worship and obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 95:7 profoundly articulates the dual nature of God's covenant with humanity: His unwavering faithfulness and provision, coupled with humanity's urgent responsibility to respond in obedience. It underscores that while God is the sovereign Shepherd who cares for His flock, this relationship demands an active, immediate, and willing "hearing" of His voice—a hearing that translates into obedient action. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual flourishing is contingent upon a responsive heart that embraces divine guidance without delay, warning against the perils of procrastination and rebellion that lead to spiritual hardening and separation from God's promised rest.

* [Hebrews 3:7-8](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-8 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts Today")
* [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")
* [1 Peter 2:25](/1_peter/2-25 "1 Peter 2:25 - Returning to the Shepherd and Overseer of Your Souls")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 95:7 calls us to live in a constant state of attentiveness to God's voice, recognizing that our identity is found in being "the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." This means acknowledging our utter dependence on Him for sustenance, guidance, and protection. The "To day" imperative is a powerful challenge against spiritual procrastination, urging us to respond immediately and wholeheartedly to God's promptings, whether through His written Word, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, or the counsel of godly community. Delaying obedience can lead to a hardening of the heart, making us less sensitive to His voice over time and potentially causing us to miss out on His blessings and His rest. This verse encourages a daily posture of humility, trust, and responsive action, ensuring that our lives reflect our belonging to the Good Shepherd.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently delaying obedience to God's known will?**
* **How does understanding God as my Shepherd impact my sense of security and trust in His provision?**
* **What practical steps can I take "to day" to cultivate a more sensitive and responsive heart to God's voice?**
* **How can the warning against a hardened heart motivate me to seek God more diligently and immediately?**

### FAQ
**What does "To day if ye will hear his voice" truly mean for believers today?**

Answer: "To day if ye will hear his voice" is a powerful call to immediate and active obedience. It emphasizes that the opportunity to respond to God's leading, His Word, and His Spirit is always in the present moment. It's a warning against spiritual procrastination and a reminder that delaying obedience can lead to a hardening of the heart, making one less receptive to God's voice over time. The New Testament book of [Hebrews](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts") extensively uses this phrase from Psalms 95 to urge believers not to repeat the mistakes of ancient Israel, who, through unbelief and disobedience, failed to enter God's promised rest. For us, it means cultivating a continuous posture of attentiveness and willingness to act on divine instruction without hesitation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 95:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of the "voice" of God, the very [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") through whom God speaks most clearly and definitively to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Jesus Himself declares, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")), identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). The imagery of being "the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand" is perfectly realized in the new covenant, where believers are gathered into Christ's flock, sustained by His grace, and protected by His mighty hand ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them")). The urgent call to "To day if ye will hear his voice" becomes an invitation to believe in and follow Jesus, the one who offers true rest and salvation ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). His perfect obedience and sacrificial death overcome the hardened hearts of humanity, making it possible for us to genuinely hear and respond to God's voice through the Holy Spirit, leading us into His eternal rest ([Hebrews 4:7-11](/hebrews/4-7 "Hebrews 4:7-11 - The Promise of Rest Remains")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 4:7

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Hebrews 3:15

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Hebrews 3:7

¶ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

Hebrews 3:11

So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

Psalms 48:14

For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death.

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?