Re: [Worship] A Question

["Bruce L. Johnson" <bjohnson@worshipmap.com>]

Lois,

The background for this language is the prayer of Solomon at the dedication
of the Temple,

In 2 Chr 6:41, in the KJV, we read,
"Now therefore arise, O LORD GOd, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark
of thy strength."

Ps 132 retells the story, including similar language,
"Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength"  (v. 8,
again in the King James).

Ps 68:1 and Num 10:35 reflect the same basic idea.     Behind it all is the
story of the exodus from Egypt through to the conquest of the land and
establishment of God's temple in Zion  --God marching out, saving his people
and leading them to his mountain, where he sits down on his throne in his
"resting place" in the midst of his people  (the picture is also found at
the end of the Song by the Sea in Exodus 15.)

The imagery of the song certainly fits in with this --with God's glory
'filling this place' as it filled the Temple.

Now I know the song you're citing says "arise FROM your rest [i.e., your
'resting place']"  rather than "into."        But I think the reason is
probably as follows.   Once God is enthroned, it makes sense to call him to
arise FROM his throne on his mountain --that is from his 'rest'/'resting
place' --to display his power, to save and judge.    (Note that there
several calls in the Psalms for God to "arise" or declarations that he will
arise  --Ps 3:7, 7:6, 10:12. . .  102:13.)

It might also help to observe that  God's entering his 'resting place' is
not a matter of slumbering or needing to stop and regain his strength.
It is simply the final stage --God has won the battle, built his royal
palace, and entered it to take up his throne as the victorious King.
In fact, the same idea is behind Genesis 2 is speaking of.  God is 'resting'
FROM his work of creating.      It's not about his being fatigued and
needing a break, but about his having completed the work he set out to do.

Bruce Johnson
www.worshipmap.com

Lois Marchal <lmarchal@pdq.net> writes:

> I have a question/concern about the words to a song
> and wanted some feedback about this.
>
>  "Oh the glory of your presence, We your
> people give you reverence. Arise from your rest and
> be blessed by our praise as Your glory now fills this
> place."
>
> My concern is the word talks about God not sleeping
> or slumbering. He did rest on the seventh day.
> I have wanted to use this song in the past but did not
> want to use it if it is scripturally incorrect.
>
> What do you think?


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