All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise
Field and forest vale and mountain Flowery meadow flashing sea
Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
By: Henry Van Dyke (1907),
Listen to this modern version of this triumphant 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 hymn ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the joy of adoration. Then open your heart and your lips and give Him praise. Let’s tune our hearts.
Rendering Him Praise
There is nothing in all of creation that does not willingly engage in this eternal occupation: rendering God the praise that is due His name. Before you object and say that mankind is often guilty of failing to give God glory let us clarify what is meant by rendering Him praise.
Render means to provide or give a service or help. When we look at the incredible creation that is man, we must confess that above all other creation we are most capable of giving glory to God. Certainly every sunrise and sunset, the coming together of earth and heaven reflecting the rays of the sun, provide ample opportunity to praise our Creator, but when we see compassion and kindness offered between two people it is in many ways an even more accurate reflection of the glory of God.
We are often guilty of not reflecting His glory through our choices. Even still, the way He has made us, the capacity for bearing His image well, informs our adoration. Whether we bend our purposes to this overarching endeavor or not, all the works of God, including mankind, joyfully surround Him with praise.
Reflecting
All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy! Psalm 96:11-12 ESV
Again, and again in the Psalms, we read how creation itself calls us to worship our Creator God. It reflects His glory and in so doing instructs our praise. When you imagine a scene like the one described here, does it make you want to join in the praise?
Have you found your place in the joyful adoration of God? Mankind is the only part of creation that has a choice to worship or not, so you have that choice. Could it be said of you that you joyfully, consistently offer your praise to God? If not, join them today.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider to whom You are rendering Your adoration. Is it more often God, or something else. Make this your simple prayer “Father, help me join the praise.”
Stellar Symphony
We can use our eyes to see the reflection of God’s glory as the earth and the heavens cast back the light which but one other expression of it. We can also use our ears coupled with our imagination to help us grasp the all-encompassing wonder of the worship of God across all creation.
Scripture tells us on numerous occasions the angels sing. That is no surprise. But did you realize the stars do as well?
Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise
When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:7 ESV
The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and described the earliest worship as God began to lay the foundations of the earth and the stars and angels uttered praise. Since those first moments of worship they have never stopped continually offering adoration.
Star Songs
Can you even begin to imagine what the worship offered by stars and angels must sound like? Though we have some idea of the content of the angels song, few people realize that stellar sound waves are a symphony of their own offered in praise of their Maker.
Not sure about what kinds of songs stars may sing? Check out this article from NASA about those stellar symphonies. Sounds like the pads we sometimes use in worship today and provides a very worshipful foundation for such sounds.
RESONATE
Take a few moments and turn your attention to the stars an angels. Can you hear their symphony? Pray this simple prayer, “Lord, help me join the symphony of the stars.“
Jesus, thank You for enabling the heavens and the earth, even the stars to join the angels in their praise. I am humbled that you would want me to join that chorus. Help me find my place in it. In Jesus’ name.
Willful Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for Him 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 59.2 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.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise
Field and forest vale and mountain Flowery meadow flashing sea
Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee
Have you found your place in the joyful adoration of God? Mankind is the only part of creation that has a choice to worship or not, so you have that choice. Could it be said of you that you joyfully, consistently offer your praise to God? If not, join them today.
Father, help me join the praise.
Can you even begin to imagine what the worship offered by stars and angels must sound like? Though we have some idea of the content of the angels song, few people realize that stellar soundwaves are a symphony of their own offered in praise of their Maker.
Lord, help me join the symphony of the stars.
What part of creation most naturally evokes your praise? Being raised among tree-covered mountains such places are my greatest inspiration. Whatever it is for you, what can you do today to find fresh inspiration for your joyful adoration?
Spirit, inspire my praise anew.
A bird song, a babbling brook or one of hundreds of creations other cantors, there is no shortage of sounds and sights calling us to worship. Are your senses aware of everything around you inviting you to rejoice? Ask Jesus to heighten your senses today.
Jesus, heighten my senses to the call of worship.
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.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise
Field and forest vale and mountain Flowery meadow flashing sea
Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee
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 Singing with the Stars appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attribution
All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/lamp-lock-sun-mountain-rock-sunset-843796/
Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise – https://pixabay.com/illustrations/background-angel-stars-christmas-1068844/
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