Flowing Water Forming Worship

Thou flowing water pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
O praise Him alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
Thou givest man both warmth and light
O praise Him alleluia

All Creatures of Our God and King
By: St. Francis 1225, trans. William Henry Draper 1919

Listen to this modern version of this ancient hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this ancient hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s tune our hearts.

Flowing Water Making Music

Can you hear the sound of the image at the top? I can because I have a clear mental image. It is light and crisp. It dances and moves freely.

This stanza challenges water to make music. Certainly it does and is of course more a response to the Lord moving it, than it is  responding to these words. Even so, we sing and offer the exhortation for water to make its sound of praise.

Thou flowing water pure and clear

Who builds his upper chambers in the heavens and founds his vault upon the earth; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth— the Lord is his name. Amos 9:6 ESV

We move on in this stanza to a couple elements. First, water. It flows pure and clear. It is always on the move at the Lord’s command. Whether the crashing waves of the ocean, or the torrent of a running river, there is power on display. All that power bringing glory to God.

What is your favorite form of water? The sound of the stream rippling across smooth stones is probably mine. Either that or the symphony of waves on the seashore. Then there’s the power of a waterfall. May their praise inspire my response of hallelujah!

RESONATE! 
Take a few moments and consider the sounds of water. Which most inspires your song of praise? Make this your simple prayer “Lord, thank You for the many sounds of water.” 

Music on/of the Water

Handel wrote his collection of orchestral movements titled “Water Music”. It was premiered on 7-17-1717 in response to King George I request for a concert on the River Thames. The musicians performed on one barge while the King and his party rode on another. How extravagant!

Yet their music merely accompanies that which the flowing water already made, had been making long before, and will continue to make until the Lord returns. We have a similar invitation to add our music to theirs to the accompaniment of the flowing waters. Whether orchestra, piano, voice, banjo, bagpipe, violin, piccolo or other instrument, the invitation stands. As a result, are you feeling inspired to join the praise yet?

Make music for thy Lord to hear

The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. Habakkuk 3:10 ESV

Here the voice of the raging waters is articulated. I personally prefer the babbling of a gentle brook. There is also the roar and rhythm of the waves of the ocean and the pounding of the rain. Different timbres and sounds all declaring the praise of the Lord our God.

There is a music to each of the forms of water. Can you use your sanctified imagination and recall a few of them now? Each of them offers a distinct sound of praise, and calls us to find our voice. How will you create your unique praise to God?

RESONATE
Take a few moments and think about the music of the water. Will you merely listen or will you also yourself to draw inspiration from its praise. Pray this simple prayer, “Father, help me find my form of praise.“  

Jesus, thank You for the many sounds of worship made by water. Help me find my place in Your orchestra of adoration. In Jesus’ name. 

Liquid Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 52.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Thou flowing water pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
O praise Him alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
Thou givest man both warmth and light
O praise Him alleluia

What is your favorite form of water? The sound of the stream rippling across smooth stones is probably mine. Either that or the symphony of waves on the seashore. Then there’s the power of a waterfall. May their praise inspire my response of hallelujah!

Lord, thank You for the many sounds of water.

There is a music to each of the forms of water. Can you use your sanctified imagination and recall a few of them now? Each of them offers a distinct sound of praise, and calls us to find our voice. How will you create your unique praise to God?

Father, help me find my form of praise.

There is a very obvious power to fire. That power has a terrifying aspect to it because of its ability to burn and consume. If you have ever stood close to a raging fire, you are well acquainted with that power. Nothing in creation compares to this incredible vehicle of praise.

Spirit, show me the unique, worshipful nature of the flame.

There is also this incredibly welcoming aspect of fire. If you have ever been cold and wet and dry and near to an open fire, you are well acquainted with its influence. Peter knew it that evening in the courtyard but was unable to push back his fear and worship with it. 

Jesus, help me take a cue from the fire when I am cold.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Thou flowing water pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
O praise Him alleluia
Thou fire so masterful and bright
Thou givest man both warmth and light
O praise Him alleluia

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time,
Be Resonant.

The post Flowing Water Forming Worship appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Thou flowing water pure and clear – https://pixabay.com/photos/water-beauty-fountain-fall-summer-650234/
Make music for thy Lord to hear – https://pixabay.com/photos/piano-player-piano-bride-sea-beach-3847833/