Is Your Soul Awake?

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake, my soul and sing
Of Him Who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

Crown Him with Many Crowns (1852)

By: Matthew Bridges, v. 3 by Godfrey Thring, pub.1874

Listen to this modern arrangement as you prepare to ponder this old hymn. 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.

We conclude our journey toward Easter transitioning from the cross to giving glory to the One who died there for us. In the first half of this stanza, we pondered the heavenly refrained and our ability to hear it.  In this second half, we ponder who we can join it, even in this season of isolation.  Let’s think about this.

Soul, Wake Up!

The heavens are declaring the glory of God.  And I do not mean the clouds and stars, I mean those around the the Lamb and His throne right now.  I hope you have taken some time already this week and quite your heart and soul to listen.  If not, check out the Tuesday Tunings with video that creates some space or the Wednesday Wanderings with the soul care exercise and do that. I would contend that before you can really join it, you have to hear it.

Either way, you may still be asleep.  I do not mean physical sleep, but spiritual.  The heavenly anthem may seem like something from a dream, and in a sense it is.  But it can be a daydream you engage with vocally.  The hymn writer is doing what the Psalmists often do when he speaks to his soul to wake up, but then he is speaking about joining the song with his voice, and I believe his life.

Awake, my soul and sing Of Him Who died for thee,

We can join that song with this life, as certainly as we will with the one to come.  Because of what Jesus accomplished that week in Jerusalem we will enjoy an eternal city where among among other things we will sing to the One who died for us…and rose again!  Because He rose, so shall we if we die before His return.  That is the promise of the Old and New Testaments alike.

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! Isaiah 26:19a ESV

So don’t wait until you rise form the dead to join the praise of the firstborn from among them.  Join it now! Find some expression of worship and send it up.

RESONATE!
As Easter approaches, it is obvious our worship will be different than usual.  The big pageants and presentations are not possible so you can not just get in your car and drive to one.  But there are many very accessible opportunities to join others online if you do not possess the ability to accompany your praise.  Even if you are alone, determine now you will awaken your soul on Easter, and even before, and join the eternal refrain.  Take a few moments now and make your plan.

And Sing!

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

Hail means to cheer, salute, or greet; welcome, acclaim; approve enthusiactically.  That creates a very clear framework for what our writer is encouraging us to do as we lift our songs to the One who died for us.  Would your songs be characterized this way?  Sure, when we are together it might be a little easier, but do not let our separation hinder you from offering your praise with some energy.

That speaks of the passion of our praise, but let us look for just a moment once again at the focus of it, Jesus.  Having a clear mental image of Who He is instructs our praise.  I would dare say even inspires it.

And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood Revelation 1:5 ESV

John’s description of Jesus is well, inspiring!  Jesus faithfully bore witness to the reality of God.  He was the first one to rise from the dead victorious over sin, and we shall be like Him in that. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth, over all of them, having authority not one of them, or even all of them combined possess.  King of Kings!  AND He loves us, demonstrating that by freeing us from our sins by His blood!  Hallelujah! and Amen!!

There is no one like Jesus, worthy of our praise.  Never has been.  Never will be.  And never is a very long time. But it is very safe to say His praise will NEVER end. Will you be a part of it?  Today and every day for the rest of eternity? I certainly hope so. I know I will be. Praise His name!

RESONATE!
So I challenged you to prepare for this very unusual Easter celebration, but I encourage you to get started before that. How will you praise Him today? Sing along with your favorite worship song? Sing down with some instrument and accompany your praise?  Gather with your family and sing? Find one of the many streams online and join in? Whatever tool you use, pick it up today and get your eternal song going.  He is worthy.

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Image Attributions
Awake My Soul and Sing – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-praying-believing-god-person-571715/
Of Him Who Died for Thee – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/art-artistic-painting-digital-1703880/
Hail Him as Thy Matchless King – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-christ-statue-sea-pigeons-2744230/