". . . little shall I grace my cause

In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,

I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver . . ."

(William Shakespeare's Othello, I.iii.88-90)

Friday, October 31, 2008

"This Is God"

Last Sunday our adult choir sang a new chant setting of Psalm 48 (appointed Gradual text for the day) composed by Stephen Johnson of Liturgy Solutions. The text is grand in its imagery and speaks volumes about the Church's calling to pass along the faith. It has stayed with me all week.

"Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God, His holy mountain!
Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers,
Consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels,
That you may tell the next generation, that this is God."
Psalm 48: 1, 12-13 (ESV)


2 comments:

Susan said...

It always stuns me about that psalm how it's talking about the place: the towers, the bulwarks, the palaces. And then it says, "For THIS is our God." Really makes you realize something about the PLACE where we meet Him, where His "divine service" is given to us, where atonement is made. This is holy ground, and not just a building where we get together to share our ideas about god and life after death and all that jazz. "THIS is God, our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death."

Cheryl said...

Yes. The emphasis on the the sensory is a great reminder that God comes to us through physical means and also that one of the ways He provides His divine service to us is through the liturgy.

Thank you, Susan! Great observation!