Worship Notes for Sunday, October 28, 2012
Last week we discussed the particulars and purpose of the Call to Worship. As God calls us before Him in worship with the gathered cloud of witnesses, we respond in praise to Him for who He is. The opening Hymns of Praise are by necessity of placement and purpose different than the music in other parts of the service in text, tone, and function.Much like King David’s psalms of praise, the text of these hymns proclaims the glorious splendor and majesty of Almighty God and concentrates on praise for His nature, character and attributes. With a generally triumphant and jubilant tone, these hymns function as a joyous processional before the throne of God. The intent is to offer opportunity for full-throated song.
The specific focus is God alone—not what we think of Him, not what we hope He is going to do for us, and not what we’re going to do. Too many songs of praise are songs about praising and not actually praise itself. Being confronted with intense awe at the presence of God tends to readjust and realign an overinflated view of ourselves and replace it with a right understanding of the order of the cosmos. It’s from this position that we rightly enter into the posture of repentance. We’ll continue our discussion with the Corporate Confession of Sin.
This week in Luke 8, we encounter the question of the disciples, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” The correct answer, as we shall see in our readings and hymns, is only God alone.
The Call to Worship from Psalm 148 establishes God’s sovereignty over all creation such that even the “stormy wind” fulfills His word. Our Hymns of Praise are A Mighty Fortress and Praise My Soul—both based on Psalms. The Old Testament Reading from Psalm 104 continues the theme of the Lord’s kingship over creation.
The first Hymn of Communion, God is Our Refuge (Psalm 46), reminds us of God’s strength and aid “though foaming waters roar.” He remains in control even as we sing Approach My Soul and the peace for burdened souls. Our final hymn is All Creatures of Our God and King and the joyous praise that all creation brings as tribute before the throne.
