Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Voice of the Redeemer in Worship

In scripture we see how singing sweetens our relationship with God and how the book of Psalms shapes and directs our singing.  We also see how David's song of God-forsakenness leads to a song of thanksgiving in the midst of a great assembly.  We see how Jesus sings Himself into the exile of our curse so that He might rise as our King of Kings.  Then we see how the Redeemer's resurrection and ascension enables the Redeemer to become the Architect of Praise as He sends the Holy Spirit to build a house for God's indwelling.  
In Psalm 22 we find a study of contrasts.  It moves from crucifixion to resurrection, from sorrow to victory. It also moves from the Singer's aloneness to being surrounded by many different kinds of people.  In v. 25 the Singer sings His hymn to the God who answers His cry for help.  Once left in agony with a band of evildoers, now the Singer is surrounded by Jew and Gentile, poor and rich, generations past and generations to come (vv. 23, 26, 27, 29 - 31).   In place of God's abandonment is God's attention and ear and in place of scoffers and torturers is a vast and varied assembly of worship. The Psalm begins as a solo and ends as a chorale or congregation.  
Christ the Redeemer calls forth His song from every culture His gospel has touched.  He is the beginning of our song.  He IS our Song!  It is His redeeming Voice!  mjm