Canter Bridge

The Books of Chronicles are most like the Psalms in their focus upon Israel realizing her destiny in the context of worship. It would be easy to push this observation to reductionistic ends. The topic of worship seems almost to shove people rudely against that wall, often with their lustiest cooperation. This oversimplification and the obsession that ensues is perhaps testimony to the power of the worship idea that inadvertently fuels such passion.

At the dedication ceremony that follows upon installation of the wayward Ark of the Covenant in its new and proper Jerusalem environs, David’s appointed liturgical musicians lead the people in their unveiled craft:

Then on that day David first appointed the singing of praises to the LORD by Asaph and his kindred.

O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
Sing to him, sing praises to him,
tell of all his wonderful works.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Seek the LORD and his strength,
seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of his servant Israel,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

The intent of these songs, as of their genre, is to elevate the reputation and the felt status of YHWH in the people’s midst. The logic of it traces its trajectory out into the nations, for whom some similar experience is desired. But that is not our concern here.

Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice, the people sing.

It is a fine articulation not just of what is desired, but of the experience and outcome of worship on the human side. Something in the geometrics, the physics, the unseen dynamics of worship lifts the human heart. Men, women, and children go in to worship YHWH. In the mix, their own hearts are elevated.

Yet Asaph and his guild have barely begun to craft a corporate approach to the Lord that will accomplish the chief end of ‘exalting’ YHWH and recognize appropriately the knock-on effect in the fragile lives of its participants.

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually, they go on to sing.

By the strange alchemy of worship, the world is glimpsed aright and, in the process, becomes for those who engage this act a bit more aligned with that vision than it has been. A setting right begins to take place. Simply put, the sad—or some discernible portion of them at the least—rejoice. The weak find strength.

YHWH, it turns out, is righly elevated by the practice of worship. Paradoxically, he is not the only one.