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Many years ago I discovered that choirs
I directed really looked forward to rehearsals when we didn't
introduce any new music or spend any
time being "nit-picky" about notes and
rhythms and phrasing. We just sang.
The same is true from a worship
leader's standpoint. Often those in our gatherings really
appreciate the chance to sing what's familiar and
well-loved. Not having to learn
anything new, they open up like a wellspring from a heart
overflowing from many honest and real experiences
with their trustworthy God.
That's sort of how I view Psalm 47. Its
themes are well-known, often repeated. It's familiar ground to us.
Yet it has an excitement and fervor that's
barely containable. Maybe that's why it
was apparently used in ancient Jewish worship, most likely during
the Feast of Tabernacles.
And perhaps
that's why it was later used in the
liturgy surrounding the Jewish New Year festival, Rosh
Hashanah.
After all, an affirmation and
acclamation of God, "the great King over all the earth," would do
us all some good. We know the words and the tune;
they're written on our hearts.
What are we waiting on?
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