O measureless might ineffable love
While angels delight to worship Thee above
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
With true adoration shall all sing Thy 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.
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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 ancient text and hymn, think about how God’s care flows through the majestic and the minute. From grand vistas to the closest droplet of water it is everywhere. Do you have eyes to see it? Let’s think about this.
Lays? Like the potato chips
There are quite a few expressions and words that are a bit archaic in our hymns, but this one may be at the top of the list. It took a bit a research and digging to find a satisfactory explanation of the word “lays”. After combing through many different definitions, and there are quite a few uses of this word, one finally jumped out.
lay (leɪ)
n
- (Poetry) a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung
- (Music, other) a song or melody
[C13: from Old French lai, perhaps of Germanic origin]
A lay in this usage is a song or melody. That makes sense but it is a use I had never heard. Maybe that is one of the reasons this final stanzas is not often used, even though the imagery is inspiring.
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
…what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor. Pslam 8:4-5 ESV
Our songs are simply feeble compared to those offered by the angels on high. We are made a little lower than them, so our praise is not as magnificent as theirs. Still He has crowned us with glory and honor, not the least of which is the joy of offering Him praise.
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
…what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor. Pslam 8:4-5 ESV
Our songs are simply feeble compared to those offered by the angels on high. We are made a little lower than them, so our praise is not as magnificent as theirs. Still He has crowned us with glory and honor, not the least of which is the joy of offering Him praise. Even though our praise my be humbler than theirs that does not stop us from offering the best we have now, even as we long for more.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about your song of praise. It is humble and imperfect, but God loves to hear it. Pray this simple prayer, “Spirit, help me offer my best praise today.” Then trust Him to do just that.
All Creation
When Jesus returns there will be no one left out of offering Him praise. The Father has given Him the name that is above every other name. Accordingly, He will receive praise that is due no one else and everyone will offer it.
It begs the question, “Are you offering your songs of praise in this season in a way that is welcoming others to join you?” Our songs may be humble expressions of His matchless worth but we should still be offering them so others have a chance to hear them and sing along. And we should be inviting others to come along with us when we go to sing our humble songs. Maybe they will be confronted and comforted by the awesome reality that is our God.
You do sing His praise, right? When was the last time you invited someone to come with you to wherever you sing His praise? Decide today to invite someone to join you soon. That way when Jesus comes back they just might be ready to join the praise as opposed to those who will not be.
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise
…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 ESV
How we long for that day when all creation will join us in the worship of the King! They may not choose to do so yet, but that day is coming when they will no longer have a choice. Every tongue will confess His worth. Hallelujah!
When we sing His praise it makes us long for more. And more is coming. More and better praise by more of creation, frankly all of creation. We long for that day when every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord. May we praise Him now in such a way that many join us even before that Great Day arrives.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider what that day will be like when we offer our praise to with all creation. May there be many who gladly sing with us that day because they chose to offer their humble praise when they heard us offer ours. Pray simply, “Jesus, help me praise You in a way that welcomes others to join.“
Lord, thank You for welcoming me to join the praise. Help me to turn and welcome other to do the same, even as I long for Your return. In Jesus name. Amen.
Expectant Thinking!
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Podcast 32.5 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 measureless might ineffable love
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Again we see complementary qualities of our Lord set beside each other, might and love. He uses His might to display His love through our salvation which is proof of His rejoicing over us. We may struggle to communicate our response of love, but thankfully He does not.
While angels delight to worship Thee above
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne…the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:11-12 ESV
This is a beautiful, powerful picture of the worship of angels. They delight to do it, and rightfully so as He is worthy. Unparalleled in all creation.
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
…what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor. Pslam 8:4-5 ESV
Our songs are simply feeble compared to those offered by the angels on high. We are made a little lower than them, so our praise is not as magnificent as theirs. Still He has crowned us with glory and honor, not the least of which is the joy of offering Him praise.
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise
…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 ESV
How we long for that day when all creation will join us in the worship of the King! They may not choose to do so yet, but that day is coming when they will no longer have a choice. Every tongue will confess His worth. Hallelujah!
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 measureless might ineffable love
While angels delight to worship Thee above
The humbler creation though feeble their lays
With true adoration shall all sing Thy 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 Offering Your Feeble Praise? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
The humbler creation though feeble their lays – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/his-decoration-music-ears-show-3243259/
With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise – http://www.praise-and-worship.com/jesus-christ-second-coming.html
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