Ascension of Our Lord -- Psalm 47
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
Cycle C
Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with loud songs of joy.
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
a great king over all the earth.
He subdued the peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
God has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the king of all the earth.
sing praises with a psalm.
God is king over the nations;
God sits over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples gather
as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is highly exalted.
Alternate Image
The Singer has come to a coronation. Each year his people gather to recrown their king. It is a day of great celebration and joy. The people come from all over the land, clap their hands and shout, "Mihole! Mihole! Great is the mighty Mihole!" Storytellers stand on the street corners and tell story after story of the adventures of Mihole and how his exploits have blessed their nation. The storytellers predict that Mihole will eventually conquer the entire world. The king and his party emerge from a temple door and the procession begins. The king marches with dignity, his entourage follows him to the throne. The royal party are all decked out in the robes of their offices. The symbols of government are carried high in the procession. Singers from throughout the country sing the praises of Mihole. As the king sits on his throne trumpets blare and the people shout, "Mihole, Mihole. Mighty and great is Mihole! Mihole is our leader. Mihole is our king. Mihole is our life. Mighty and great is Mihole!" The king, as well, sings the praises of Mihole with the crowd; the king's name is David. Mihole is their God.
Reflection
Leaders sometimes forget that their leadership is a calling to serve. They are the servants of the people they are to lead. Despots reverse this and coerce their people into serving them. They seek power and glory for themselves, and in the process destroy themselves and their people. The power of leadership is very seductive and needs to be treated with great respect. Religious leaders are the servants to their people but in addition they are the agents of God. Their ultimate responsibility is to God for the people they are called to lead. It is quite possible that the Hebrews enacted this wise understanding by recrowning their king each year. As the king entered to reaffirm his responsibilities, praises were sung to God and God's power and might, not to the king. Yearly, priorities were set clearly and correctly. Each of us today receives our calling as God's agent here on earth. As we serve those God has called us to serve, we continually sing God's praises.
shout to God with loud songs of joy.
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
a great king over all the earth.
He subdued the peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
God has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the king of all the earth.
sing praises with a psalm.
God is king over the nations;
God sits over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples gather
as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God;
he is highly exalted.
Alternate Image
The Singer has come to a coronation. Each year his people gather to recrown their king. It is a day of great celebration and joy. The people come from all over the land, clap their hands and shout, "Mihole! Mihole! Great is the mighty Mihole!" Storytellers stand on the street corners and tell story after story of the adventures of Mihole and how his exploits have blessed their nation. The storytellers predict that Mihole will eventually conquer the entire world. The king and his party emerge from a temple door and the procession begins. The king marches with dignity, his entourage follows him to the throne. The royal party are all decked out in the robes of their offices. The symbols of government are carried high in the procession. Singers from throughout the country sing the praises of Mihole. As the king sits on his throne trumpets blare and the people shout, "Mihole, Mihole. Mighty and great is Mihole! Mihole is our leader. Mihole is our king. Mihole is our life. Mighty and great is Mihole!" The king, as well, sings the praises of Mihole with the crowd; the king's name is David. Mihole is their God.
Reflection
Leaders sometimes forget that their leadership is a calling to serve. They are the servants of the people they are to lead. Despots reverse this and coerce their people into serving them. They seek power and glory for themselves, and in the process destroy themselves and their people. The power of leadership is very seductive and needs to be treated with great respect. Religious leaders are the servants to their people but in addition they are the agents of God. Their ultimate responsibility is to God for the people they are called to lead. It is quite possible that the Hebrews enacted this wise understanding by recrowning their king each year. As the king entered to reaffirm his responsibilities, praises were sung to God and God's power and might, not to the king. Yearly, priorities were set clearly and correctly. Each of us today receives our calling as God's agent here on earth. As we serve those God has called us to serve, we continually sing God's praises.
