doxologies

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” – Psalm 90:2

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelation 1:8

It is Jewish tradition to end a teaching with a doxology. And in those doxologies the eternal nature of God is reinforced. Christian heritage picked up this same tradition adding the Trinity to our doxologies. You are probably familiar with this one:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son:

and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:

world without end. Amen.

The concept of eternal or never-ending finds itself throughout history in books, movies, poems, etc. The Spaniards, led by Ponce de Leon, once searched for the Fountain of Youth, thought to be in Florida. You can see this supposed fountain in St. Augustine, Florida for a mere $21.55.

Then there’s the tech billionaire Bryan Johnson who spends $2 million a year trying to keep from growing old and dying. I, for one, would use that money to have a lot more fun with the limited time I’ve been gifted. We are promised throughout the Bible that our lives are like the wildflowers or the prairie grass. We bloom greatly then in the morning we dry up and die.

Sounds inspiring doesn’t it? But the hard truth is our short, maybe 80-90 years, on this blue planet really are microscopic in God’s universe. He is the only eternal being (well, the Trinity is but let’s not go down that rabbit hole today!). He is the Alpha and the whatever comes after forever.

I find it sad however, that people like my father get stuck on the “but what was before God?” or “how was God formed?” questions. For Christians who believe the Bible to be inerrant we just say we don’t know. It’s a mystery. Because there still are mysteries in life.

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” Psalm 102:25-27

There’s a comfort in knowing that God is outside our time. Because time is what brings so many of us anxiety. Getting to appointments, preparing for a certain event, looking towards our death or that of a loved one – these all bring a level of worry. But the eternal promise God gives us through faith and surrender to Him should relieve us of the scary things of this world.

World View vs God View

Wars and rumors of wars is how Jesus put it. Financial collapses and environmental disasters, world-wide pandemics and rising dictators bring us a near concern. But with our eyes set on standing with Jesus in the eternal Kingdom we should be able to have peace through so much of this. He has told us that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not ours. That’s because He sees the big, eternal picture. He has worked out the best plan for all time. We know that in Him believers have eternal victory in all things.

For now, we must accept the many mysteries of God. One day when we are re-united with Christ, we will hopefully see all so much clearer. Until then,

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17

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“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Last night I heard the angels sing. Well, not real angels — just people that sounded as I would imagine them singing. After a long weekend of Christmas concerts, the more than 150 choir members and musicians that perform at my church in Escondido, California put on their last of 5 performances. They must have been looking forward to that last note with tired legs and feet, sore lips and throats. But you couldn’t tell. They lifted their voices with such glorious vigor and ease. The musicians fingers danced lightly and beautifully over keys and piston valves and strings.

I listened with awe to people with a gift I only dream about or attempt to utilize while alone in my car. And I also thought, what a glorious God to have created such sounds. Music is considered one of those few “cultural universals.” Something in which every culture across the world participates. Bone flutes have been dated to 40,000 BC. Biologists suggest that music developed alongside language development. Almost as though the two were uniquely connected. Clearly a gift given by God since the creation of man.

Religions are credited with being the biggest purveyor of music and musical styles. Hurrian songs are a collection of music excavated from an ancient Canaanite city which date to approximately 1400 BC. One of these is nearly complete and contains the “Hymn to Nikkal”(also known as the Hurrian cult hymn or “a zaluzi to the gods,”), making it the oldest surviving complete work of notated music in the world.

We’ve been singing outward and upward for quite a long time it seems! It’s no wonder that music touches our hearts so deeply. It speaks to love lost and love found. To growing up and growing old. It tells stories of friendships and discontentment. And, of course, it speaks to God — asking for Him to come into our lives, thanking Him for our blessings, and giving all Glory to Him.

The first song recorded in the Bible is a victory song. Written by Moses and recorded in Exodus 15, it was composed after Israel’s faith was tested in the parting of the Red Sea. It’s as though God gave us this gift to express in new ways our yearning for a life that only He can truly give.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

The hymn last night which pulled my heart toward God was, “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” based on what the angels sang at Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:14. Such a beautiful patronage to varied, talented voices and musicians! It also enjoys a long and rich history. Its composition reflects the tradition of “private psalms” which became popular in the 2nd century. Later versions saw additional verses added as it became part of doxologies. Modern scholars have documented over 200 musical medieval versions of this song as it spread across every Christian religious culture and denomination.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.  (Christmas Carol version, also known as Angels We Have Heard on High)

I imagine this gift of music must surely reflect what goes on in the heavens. A heavenly Spotify playlist featuring the most beautiful voices ever heard. So perfectly tuned and glorious that hearts burst with love and devotion to the One True God.

Today, listen for the first songs of God — a tune from a bird, the rustling of leaves, the croaking of a frog. Then lift your voice or whistle or hum to Him who gave us this gift. A gift which helps us express our deepest emotions in ways which just words alone can never accomplish.

Soli Deo Gloria. Amen

Tag: doxologies

The Eternal God

In Excelsis Deo