O worship the King all glorious above
And gratefully sing His power and His love
Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise
O Worship the King 1561
By: William Kethe (?-1594)
Listen to this worshipful version of this hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
Here is podcast content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant! Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!
Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this classic text and hymn, think about what it will mean to sincerely offer each part of your life and your entire life to God. It requires diligence and intentionality. Thanks for joining us in this grand pursuit. Let’s think about this.
Ancient of Days
The name used for God in this line conjures up some powerful images. This One who is our Shield and Defender has been around a long time and rules over all. The image above originally published in 1794 by William Blake is a depiction of the Ancient of Days marking off “the horizon on the face of the deep” as told in Proverbs 8:27. He told the horizon where it would be. He made the deep.
This hymn is meant to evoke a worshipful response from singer and listener alike. This imagery is very useful in that regard. Look at the horizon, consider the depths, and worship that ones who carefully draws the boundaries of each.
If He was careful and meticulous in how He crafted these things should our response not be as well? Do you believe He who made all we see and even what we can not see protects you from the same? That He is indeed your Shield and Defender?
Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. Daniel 7:9 ESV
This is an incredible description of this King we worship. A throne of fiery flames inspires awe in my heart. How about you? This same One is our Shield and Defender which reveals He is not only concerned about His glory, but also our good. Do you long to see Him face-to-face?
Not only has He redeemed us but He also protects us. This does not mean that we do not suffer or go through painful things for we live in a fallen world. It does remind us that we never do so alone. What do you need shielded from or defended against today?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about your image of God. Can the image above fit within that. If not, do you need to expand it? Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me rest in Your protection today.” Then trust Him to help you do just that.
Pavilioned in Splendor
We can look into the skies and imagine what heaven must be like in terms of the arena in creates for God’s throne. What is more difficult for us to envision is the praise that circles that throne. Not only ours but that of all of God’s people across all time and space.
Oh that we could see the praise like we can see the splendor, or at least the representation of it in images like this sunset! Our ears can truly not even begin to conceive how marvelous that sound is and will be. We simply can not hear, but God can.
He hears the praise of His people. Every one. Simultaneously. Concurrently.
Will you join that incredible reality? Offer your worship to God right now and you will be a part of encircling Him with praise. It is that simple.
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke! Psalms 104:31-32 ESV
A pavilion made by His glorious creation and praise rising up from all His creatures, what a magnificent picture. Lift your gaze today to the One whose glory will endure forever, and Who rejoices in His works, of which you are One. Marvel at His majesty and join the praise!
The heavens create a pavilion which puts the glory of our King on display, and the rest of creation declares His praise as well, but are you doing your part? Are you adding your praise to the cacophony of creation or are you mostly silent? Lift your voice in worship today!
RESONATE!
Are you a part of that encircling? Do you regularly offer your praise to God? Do it right now. Play the track above and sing along with it. Pray simply, “Lord, empower my praise.”
Lord, thank You for allowing me the privilege of encircling You praise. How kind of You to reveal Yourself to me and invite me in. Help me to find my place it in every day. In Jesus name. Amen.
Worshipful Thinking!
Are these thoughts helping you to develop greater spiritual awareness? Sign-up in the form to the right above to get updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.
Podcast 32.1 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
O worship the King all glorious above
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent. Psalm 104:1-2 ESV
What a fantastic opening to this classic hymn! An admonition to bless the Lord complete with the reasons why. He is the glorious King over all. We look into the skies which tell of His glory and join them in declaring His splendor and majesty. Will you extend the call to worship today?
And gratefully sing His power and His love
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High. Psalm 7:17 ESV
We sing praise to Him for His work in creation and the way that His work in re-creation brings together His power and His love. With grateful hearts we extol the Lord with our lips and with our lives for none is worthy of our worship but this King, our King! Gratefully sing!
Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. Daniel 7:9 ESV
This is an incredible description of this King we worship. A throne of fiery flames inspires awe in my heart. How about you? This same One is our Shield and Defender which reveals He is not only concerned about His glory, but also our good. Do you long to see Him face-to-face?
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke! Psalms 104:31-32 ESV
A pavilion made by His glorious creation and praise rising up from all His creatures, what a magnificent picture. Lift your gaze today to the One whose glory will endure forever, and Who rejoices in His works, of which you are One. Marvel at His majesty and join the praise!
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the Refrain.
O worship the King all glorious above
And gratefully sing His power and His love
Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Are You a Part of the Circle of Praise? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
Our Shield and Defender the Ancient of Days – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Europe_a_Prophecy_copy_K_plate_01.jpg
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise – https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-sun-sky-clouds-twilight-472981/
Leave a Reply