Epiphany 3
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold,
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Alternate Image
The Singer has been inspired by the wonders of nature during his travels and he has written many good songs reflecting God's glory that all may see. Pleasant tunes that any troubadour would be proud to create. Now the Singer finds a book. A book about music. A book about musical theory; what notes work together, how harmonies blend, musical phrases, musical laws. The Singer's eyes gleam with the possibilities that are immediately opened to him. This is a special book that only a few troubadours and few composers are chosen to see. This book is precious. It is a special book. And with it comes great responsibility. The Singer intones, "May my music give you pleasure, Lord, and reflect this great gift you have given me."
Reflection
Almost without fail civilizations and cultures have concluded there is a God. They look around the world and rightly conclude there is a creator of all this. But their perceptions of that God or gods vary greatly. Some see God as fearful, some friendly. Some see gods involved in life while others see God aloof and impervious to human feeling. They can only know of God what their minds can deduce about the world around them. This is not enough. Our God saw that if people were to know God well, God had to do the revealing. That revelation is the law, the special book, a description of how special people respond to a God who is intimate, who loves them. And if this was not clear enough, God became one of us in Jesus Christ so that we would clearly understand God's nature. This is special knowledge. Special knowledge that evokes special responses that seem to please the God who has given us so much.
the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold,
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Alternate Image
The Singer has been inspired by the wonders of nature during his travels and he has written many good songs reflecting God's glory that all may see. Pleasant tunes that any troubadour would be proud to create. Now the Singer finds a book. A book about music. A book about musical theory; what notes work together, how harmonies blend, musical phrases, musical laws. The Singer's eyes gleam with the possibilities that are immediately opened to him. This is a special book that only a few troubadours and few composers are chosen to see. This book is precious. It is a special book. And with it comes great responsibility. The Singer intones, "May my music give you pleasure, Lord, and reflect this great gift you have given me."
Reflection
Almost without fail civilizations and cultures have concluded there is a God. They look around the world and rightly conclude there is a creator of all this. But their perceptions of that God or gods vary greatly. Some see God as fearful, some friendly. Some see gods involved in life while others see God aloof and impervious to human feeling. They can only know of God what their minds can deduce about the world around them. This is not enough. Our God saw that if people were to know God well, God had to do the revealing. That revelation is the law, the special book, a description of how special people respond to a God who is intimate, who loves them. And if this was not clear enough, God became one of us in Jesus Christ so that we would clearly understand God's nature. This is special knowledge. Special knowledge that evokes special responses that seem to please the God who has given us so much.
