O tell of His might O sing of His grace
Whose robe is the light whose canopy space
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
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 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.
Thunderclouds Formed by Wrath
His activity, riding around in His chariot of wrath, creates the thunderclouds? Does God ride around in a chariot? Does that chariot form the thunderclouds? And where does His wrath figure into all that?
We might be tempted to think these are simply beautiful word pictures used by the hymn writer to stir our imagination. But they are not simply that. The Scripture bears out the truth behind the imagery.
God is real and His activity and movements have effects on the world in which we live. These truths help us to cultivate an awareness of God and an appreciation of His power revealed to us. Then there is His wrath.
He has clearly spoken that there are consequences to our actions. In a global sense, our actions are rebellious and illicit a response from God. We deserve His wrath, but instead He often gives us His mercy. Even still, there is the reality of wrath for all the wrongs of mankind, and just maybe His thunderclouds warn that a day of reckoning is coming.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind; Psalm 104:3 ESV
Thunderclouds are His chariot. He rides on them. Wow! But chariots of wrath? What makes this great King extremely angry? Could it be because His creatures do not choose to worship Him when He is so worthy? Might He be inviting us to respond to His power in awe and wonder?
Thunderclouds are formed in the wake of His wrathful chariots, as He moves about the heavens accomplishing His divine purposes. What do you imagine stirs up that wrath? Ask Him to reveal that to you and then respond in wonder and worship.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and think about what may stir Gods wrath. Do you play a part in that? Pray this simple prayer, “God, reveal what stirs up Your wrath.” Then respond in repentance and worship to what He shows you.
Storm Wings
The Scripture above not only spoke of the clouds as chariots for God, but also that He rides on the wings of the wind, in the last line here the wings of the storm. What does that mean? The phrase about the wind seems to mean with utmost velocity or the highest speed.
So, God is in a hurry? Or maybe it is equating His speed is as great as His power. That seems to make a little more sense. But there remains at least a bit of mystery in the imagery.
Then there is the description of His path being “dark”. Again we are challenged to think of God in ways that are not simply light. To me that implies a heaviness or seriousness which certainly must be a part of the way we imagine God.
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea…
He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:25, 29 ESV
Like horses that move at the will of their rider, so the storm clouds respond to the will of our God. The One who robes Himself in light travels a dark path through the storm. Seems like an interesting juxtaposition, even mysterious. So is our King, Commander of the winds and waves.
The wings of the storm? Like the edges, or that which causes the storm to move. The imagery here is very powerful. Darkness, wrath, storms and thunder, God on the move revealing His might. What impact on you and your worship will that revelation have today?
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider how God reveals Himself in the dark movement of the storms in the heavens, and the ones in our lives. When things get dark are you willing to consider God might still be very much in the middle of them? Ask God for eyes to see Him in the darkness. Pray simply, “Spirit, help me respond in worship.”
Lord, thank You for the mysterious and powerful ways You reveal Yourself to us. Help me to always have my eyes wide open to see them. When I do, please help me respond in worship. In Jesus name. Amen.
Awe-filled Thinking!
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Podcast 32.2 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 tell of His might O sing of His grace
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:2-3 ESV
Sing and tell. That is what we are supposed to do once we have come to understand the matchless might and glorious grace of our King. Will you commit today to do it? Use both your speaking and your singing voice to make His might and grace known as often as you can.
Whose robe is the light whose canopy space
…You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent. Psalm 104:1b-2 ESV
Now we are talking. This King we worship is able to make a garment out of light! As if that description were not incredible enough it continues by declaring that His dwelling place is the entirety of the heavens, even space itself. This is the One we worship. He is worthy!
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind; Psalm 104:3 ESV
Thunderclouds are His chariot. He rides on them. Wow! But chariots of wrath? What makes this great King extremely angry? Could it be because His creatures do not choose to worship Him when He is so worthy? Might He be inviting us to respond to His power in awe and wonder?
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea…
He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:25, 29 ESV
Like horses that move at the will of their rider, so the storm clouds respond to the will of our God. The One who robes Himself in light travels a dark path through the storm. Seems like an interesting juxtaposition, even mysterious. So is our King, Commander of the winds and waves.
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 tell of His might O sing of His grace
Whose robe is the light whose canopy space
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
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 Seeing God is Deep Darkness appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form – https://pixabay.com/photos/panorama-nature-landscape-heaven-3123470/
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm – https://pixabay.com/photos/thunderstorm-lightning-clouds-sky-6346810/
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