What will you be doing then?

February 22, 2016

Worship:  A Mighty Fortress is Our God by Martin Luther; A Mighty Fortress is Our God as sung by Matt Boswell

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Words: Martin Luther. Translated into English by Frederic H. Hedge Music: "Ein Feste Burg" by Martin Luther A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. Did we in our strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. (from Biblesoft Hymnal, PC Study Bible electronic database Copyright © 2003-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Matt Boswell, Frederick Hedge, Martin Luther Doxology & Theology Music (Admin Parvel Music) Verse 1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing Our Helper He amidst the flood, of mortal ills prevailing For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe His craft and pow’r are great, and armed with cruel hate On earth is not his equal Verse 2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing Dost ask who that may be Christ Jesus it is He The Lord of hosts His name, from age to age the same And He must win the battle Verse 3 And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us We will not fear for God hath willed, His truth to triumph through us The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him His rage we can endure, for lo his doom is sure One little word shall fell Him Chorus 1 A mighty fortress a rock unfailing, The King of Glory forever amen For endless ages enthroned in praises, the King of Glory forever amen Verse 4 That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them abideth The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through Him Who with us sideth Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also The body they may kill God’s truth abideth still His Kingdom is forever Chorus 2 A mighty fortress a rock unfailing, The King of Glory forever amen For endless ages enthroned in praises, the King of Glory forever Forever amen  https://praisecharts.com/songs/details/26906/a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god-sheet-music/

Video:  https://youtu.be/8XUYZoguhEQ                    Video:  https://youtu.be/oNeP7bGagqg

Witness: I referenced the famous hymn in my last journal entry and felt led to use it as my entry into worship before I get into the WORD. I also spent time research other hymns based on Psalm 24 and specifically tried to find ones that dealt with the latter part of this psalm. As I researched I came upon several hymns written by Charles Wesley. I also discovered the works of Isaac Watts based on the Psalms. Below I share them as my entry in this witness portion for the edification of my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those whose hearts have not yet given themselves to the King of Glory and our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.

OUR LORD IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD Words: Charles Wesley, Psalms and Hymns, 1743. a.      Music: Duke Street, at­trib­ut­ed to John Hat­ton, 1793  Our Lord is risen from the dead! Our Jesus is gone up on high! The powers of hell are captive led, Dragged to the portals of the sky. There His triumphal chariot waits, And angels chant the solemn lay: Lift up your heads, you heavenly gates; You everlasting doors, give way! Loose all your bars of massy light, And wide unfold the ethereal scene; He claims these mansions as His right Receive the King of glory in! Who is this King of glory? Who? The Lord that all our foes overcame; The world, sin, death, and hell overthrew; And Jesus is the conqueror’s Name. Lo! His triumphal chariot waits, And angels chant the solemn lay: Lift up your heads, you heavenly gates; You everlasting doors give way! Who is the King of Glory, who? The Lord of glorious power possessed, The King of saints and angels, too; God over all, forever blessed. http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/u/ourlordi.htm

Jesus, Thou Art Our King! by Charles Wesley 1 JESUS, thou art our King! To me thy succour bring; Christ, the mighty One, art thou, Help for all on thee is laid; This the word; I claim it now, Send me now the promised aid. 2 High on thy Father's throne, O look with pity down! Help, O help, attend my call, Captive lead captivity: King of glory, Lord of all, Christ, be Lord, be King to me 3 I pant to feel thy sway, And only thee to obey, Thee my spirit gasps to meet; This my one, my ceaseless prayer, Make, O make my heart thy seat, O set up thy kingdom there! 4 Triumph and reign in me, And spread thy victory; Hell, and death, and sin control, Pride, and wrath, and every foe, All subdue; through all my soul Conquering, and to conquer go. http://www.invubu.com/

PSALM 24 C. M. Dwelling with God. 46 The earth for ever is the Lord's, With Adam's num'rous race; He raised its arches o'er the floods, And built it on the seas. But who among the sons of men May visit thine abode? He that has hands from mischief clean, Whose heart is right with God. This is the man may rise and take The blessings of his grace; This is the lot of those that seek The God of Jacob's face. Now let our souls' immortal powers To meet the Lord prepare, Lift up their everlasting doors, The King of glory's near. The King of glory! who can tell The wonders of his might? He rules the nations; but to dwell With saints is his delight. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/watts/psalmshymns.Ps.56.html

PSALM 24 L. M. Saints dwell in heaven; or, Christ's ascension. PAUSE. 47 This spacious earth is all the Lord's, And men, and worms, and beasts, and birds: He raised the building on the seas, And gave it for their dwelling-place. But there's a brighter world on high, Thy palace, Lord, above the sky: Who shall ascend that blest abode, And dwell so near his Maker God? He that abhors and fears to sin, Whose heart is pure, whose hands are clean, Him shall the Lord the Savior bless, And clothe his soul with righteousness. These are the men, the pious race, That seek the God of Jacob's face: These shall enjoy the blissful sight, And dwell in everlasting light. Rejoice, ye shining worlds on high, Behold the King of glory nigh! Who can this King of glory be? The mighty Lord, the Savior's he. Ye heav'nly gates, your leaves display, To make the Lord the Savior way: Laden with spoils from earth and hell, The Conqueror comes with God to dwell. Raised from the dead, he goes before; He opens heav'n's eternal door, To give his saints a blest abode, Near their Redeemer and their God. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/watts/psalmshymns.Ps.57.html

WORD:

Ps 24:7-10 NIV 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;           be lifted up, you ancient doors,           that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?           The LORD strong and mighty,           the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;           lift them up, you ancient doors,           that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory?           The LORD Almighty —           he is the King of glory.                                                        Selah

Ps 24:7-10 7 Open up, ancient gates!            Open up, ancient doors,            and let the King of glory enter. 8 Who is the King of glory?             The LORD, strong and mighty;             the LORD, invincible in battle. 9 Open up, ancient gates!            Open up, ancient doors,            and let the King of glory enter. 10 Who is the King of glory?         The LORD of Heaven's Armies—         he is the King of glory.                                                        Interlude Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

I.   Who is the King of glory? -  v. 8

     A.   The LORD strong and mighty

     B.   The LORD mighty in Battle

II.   Who is He, this King of glory? – v. 10

     A.  The LORD Almighty or Hosts

     B.     He is the King of Glory

We now come to the apex of this psalm. It began in creation. The earth is the Lord’s by His right as its creator. He owns it all, yet it was “subjected to futility” (Romans 8:20) by Him, because of the fall of Satan and those who followed him as well as man’s fall through Adam. Therefore, not all worship their creator, nor is anyone in themselves worthy to approach and worship Him. It is only as He makes them worthy as He conquers their rebellious heart and vanquishes the enemy called sin in their souls.

In the final verses, He enters in to take His place on the throne. In those days, as He gave victory to His people, He enters represented by the Ark of the Covenant. Again, when the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father and now when he enters a repentant and believing heart. Finally, all will know who He is at the final judgment and all will kneel before Him whether they want to or not (Philippians 2:10-11).

The alarm has sounded and it is time for me to get ready for work. I hope to finish this psalm tomorrow or in the next few days, Lord willing. One day the trumpet will sound and this present time to repent and believe will have passed. What will you be doing then? Will you be kneeling before Him as your King of Glory or will you kneel before Him as a vanquished enemy?