King James Version

What Does Psalms 95:6 Mean?

Psalms 95:6 in the King James Version says “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 95 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

Psalms 95:6 · KJV

Context

4

In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. In: Heb. In whose the strength: or, the heights of the hills are his

5

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. The sea: Heb. Whose the sea is

6

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

7

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,

8

Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: provocation: Heb. contention

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse pivots from the external expression of worship (singing, music) to the internal posture of the body and spirit. 'O come, let us worship and bow down' introduces 'worship' (Hebrew 'shachah'), which etymologically relates to prostration or bowing before a superior. This is not casual acknowledgment but deliberate physical submission. 'Bow down' emphasizes the physicality of worship - the body becomes the vehicle of spiritual devotion. 'Let us kneel before the LORD our maker' shifts the stance further downward, from bowing to kneeling. The accumulating postures of humility (singing - bowing - kneeling) suggest worship moving from exuberant expression to humble submission. The identification of God as 'our maker' (Hebrew 'yotzeinu') establishes the fundamental relationship: God is the Creator, humans are the created. This creature-Creator distinction justifies the postures of submission. The verse implies that true worship must engage both emotion and body, both voice and physical humility. The repetition of the command structure ('O come, let us') unifies this verse with verses 1 and 2, creating a three-part movement: first joyful expression, then grateful entrance, now humble submission.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The practice of bowing and kneeling in worship was fundamental to ancient Near Eastern religious practice and to Israelite worship in particular. Archaeological evidence shows worshippers in prostrate positions before deities throughout the ancient world. The Old Testament frequently describes such postures: Abraham bowed before the three visitors (Genesis 18:2), Jacob bowed before Esau (Genesis 33:3), and throughout the Psalms worshippers 'bow down' (Psalm 22:29, 72:11). The Temple would have provided a context for such physical worship. The identification of God as 'maker' echoes the creation account and establishes a fundamental theological truth: the object of worship is not a creation of human imagination but the actual Creator of all things. The kneeling posture was particularly associated with prayer (1 Kings 8:54) and with reverent petition. This verse would have resonated with Temple worshippers who physically enacted their theology through bodily postures. The combination of joyful expression (verses 1-2) with humble submission (verses 6-7) creates a balanced theology of worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does genuine worship require both external expression (singing, joyful noise) and internal humility (bowing, kneeling)?
  2. How does the recognition that God is our 'maker' establish the proper basis for worship and submission?
  3. What does it mean to bow and kneel before God, and how might this physical expression deepen spiritual reality?
  4. In modern worship contexts that often minimize physical expression, what might we be missing or misunderstanding about authentic worship?
  5. How does the progression from singing to kneeling suggest a complete submission of the whole person to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
בֹּ֭אוּ1 of 7

“O come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

נִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֣ה2 of 7

“let us worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

וְנִכְרָ֑עָה3 of 7

“and bow down”

H3766

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

נִ֝בְרְכָ֗ה4 of 7

“let us kneel”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

לִֽפְנֵי5 of 7

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֥ה6 of 7

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עֹשֵֽׂנוּ׃7 of 7

“our maker”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 95:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 95:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 2:10Psalms 100:3Ephesians 3:14Psalms 95:11 Corinthians 6:20Daniel 6:10

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