Psalm 95 is quoted in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4, as a warning to the people of God not to harden their hearts “as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness” (Psalm 95:8). There are two incidents referred to as Meribah– Exodus 17 and Numbers 20– but only Exodus 17 is also referred to as Massah. In Exodus 17 the children of Israel complain because they are thirsty and they believe Moses has led them out into the wilderness to die. When Moses cries out to God, God tells him to take his staff and strike the rock. When Moses does this, water pours out from the rock. Yippee.

It is interesting, then, that of all the names which the Psalmist could have used to start Psalm 95 off with, he chose this one: “O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” (Psalm 95:1).

“For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”

Food for thought.

-Daniel