« 4 God so luvd da world... | Main | Some thoughts on knowing God ... and each other »
October 09, 2005
Doxa + Logos = Word of Praise
Have you ever had a time when nothing you thought about God seemed sufficient? You read, you pray, you sing, you talk, and whenever your thought turns to God, the only thing that comes forth is an overwhelming sense of thanks and praise. They are wonderful times, and too few in many lives.
Some years ago, on a trip to Israel, about a dozen of us were in an ancient church, and noticed the superb acoustics. So we gathered in the center of the sanctuary and sang the Doxology, a song of praise to God. It was a time we will never forget, listening as our voices blended and echoed in singing the wonder of our God. On another day we went to the border between Judea and Samaria, and sat on a hillside overlooking a huge valley, full of history. It was cloudy and foggy, and a light drizzle was falling. As we sat taking in the scene before us, someone began to play the great Hallelujah Chorus, from Messiah, on a battery-powered tape player. Surely this is one of the greatest songs of praise ever composed, and this, too, was a moment never to be forgotten, as if we were sitting at the throne of God.
Probably most of you have heard of “The Doxology,” and I am certain there are a number of musical pieces going by that name, but did you know there are many “doxologies” in Scripture?
The word comes from two Greek words: “doxa” meaning “praise, honor, glory,” and “logos,” meaning “word.” Put together, a doxology is a song of praise, honor, or glory, in this case to God. There are many in Scripture, and they are some of the most wonderful parts of the Bible. For example, these two verses from Jude are one of my favorites:
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling,
And to make you stand in the presence of His glory,
Blameless, with great joy,
To the only God our Savior,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (24-25)
Or this from Romans:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
For who has known the mind of the LORD, or who became his counselor?
Or who has first given to him that it might be paid back to him again?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever.
Amen.” (11:33-36)
And the Psalmist put it this way:
“Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory (24:7-10).”
Or this, also from Psalms:
Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The LORD is over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful,
The voice of the LORD is majestic.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD makes the deer to calve
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everything says, "Glory!"
The LORD sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.
The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace” (29:1-11).
And finally, the “last word” from the ultimate Praise Book, which, of course, is the book of Psalms:
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!” (150:1-6).
What an awesome God we serve!
Praise the Lord, all ye nations, exalt Him, all ye peoples! He alone is worthy to be praised! Amen!
Posted by Larry Baden at October 9, 2005 02:01 PM
