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Tag: glory

The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God
The Glory of God – written in the Creation on the Heavens and on the earth.

What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.

1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36; Ps. 73:25-28.

In our previous PSALM we focused on how a man or woman might best start our day.

And our focus turned from SELF toward the LORD — to rejoice — to experience God’s gladness in His creation and in us.

You might say, by extension, a daily disposition toward JOY becomes our worship in serving the LORD.
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Perhaps you know Beethoven's ODE TO JOY from the finale of the composer's Nineth Symphony. 

Did you know that text of Ode to Joy is taken from Psalms 104 and 145:10? 
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Today’s theme: the GLORY of God

Perhaps you know our PSALM from a scripturally-focused hymnal (of old).

The CREATION

Psalm 19

The heavens, O God, Thy glory tell
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Published in 14 hymnals

The Heavens are telling – Beethoven

Many of you will know another glorious large composition of praise from an oratorio of Haydn near the end of the 18th century

The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God,
(from “The Creation”)

— The Heavens Are Telling.

Hayden: Chorus:

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
The wonders of his work displays the firmament;

Today that is coming speaks it the day,
The night that is gone to following night.

In every land [In all the land] resounds the word,
never unperceived, ever understood.

Music by Josef Haydn
Lyrics translated by Robert Shaw, based on Psalm 19.

What is the GLORY of God?

“You said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness,

and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire;

we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives.

Deuteronomy 5:25 NASB

By contrast we might ask, ‘What is the glory of man?’

By the weight of your wrath against man’s sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah.)

Psalm 39:11 BBE

The glory of the heavens?

The LORD is high above all nations,

and his glory above the heavens.

Psalm 113:4

OR of the firmament?

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters... And God called the firmament Heaven.

Genesis 1:6,8a KJV

OR

What is the glory of the earth, you might ask?
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But in fact, you cannot find any glory in 'the earth' separate from the glory of the LORD its Creator. 
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- Psalms sing of GLORY in one form or another over 400 times!
– kāḇôḏ כָּבוֹד

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Selah.

Psalm 24:10
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(You likely know some contemporary Christian songs expressing these words.)
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Just what does it mean to GLORIFY God?

You who fear Yahweh, praise Him;

All you seed of Jacob, glorify Him,

And stand in awe of Him, all you seed of Israel.

Psalm 22:23 LSB

“The beasts of the field will glorify Me,

The jackals and the ostriches,

Because I have given waters in the wilderness

And rivers in the wasteland,

To give drink to My chosen people.

Isaiah 43:20

Psalm 19:

Let’s take a closer look at this Psalm of David.

The heavens are sounding the glory of God;

the arch of the sky makes clear the work of his hands.

Day after day it sends out its word,

and night after night it gives knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2 BBE (Bible in Basic English)

Do you see God’s glory?

Look up! o man of dust! you creature beneath the night sky — with eyes to see above,

but not so near to the Lord’s glory.

You cannot deny His glory— ALMIGHTY Hands that formed — HIS fire which will refine your flesh into burned away dross scorched in the daytime sun.

There are no words or language;

their voice makes no sound.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them has he put a tent for the sun,

Who is like a newly married man coming from his bride-tent,

and is glad like a strong runner starting on his way.

His going out is from the end of the heaven,

and his circle to the ends of it;

there is nothing which is not open to his heat.

Psalm 19:3-6 BBE

David — the king and Psalmist — proclaims a GLORY of the LORD words cannot convey with pictures that only hint of God’s evident greatness.

Now David proceeds to

the benefits of GOD’s law:

The law of the LORD is perfect,
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We do NOT like the LAW — we resist it— we rebel against it — for the laws and precepts of every mortal man are imperfect. 

AND, by contrast, 

the Law of the Lord— like Almighty GOD — is perfect and good and breathes life into fallen flesh and our impure soul. 
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The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9 RSV

FEAR in the Face of HIS GLORY

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:9 RSV

fear (of Yᵊhōvâ) -yir’â -יִרְאָה
- fear, terror
- awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
- fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
- revered
Psalm 2 connects this fear of the LORD not only with trembling, but with rejoicing or reiterating our joy.

Serve the LORD with reverential awe

and rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:11 CSB
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David's Psalm becomes practically proverbial in teaching why WE must not only FEAR the LORD, 
but also OBEY his LAW 
and instructions (or ordinances). 
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They [God’s ordinances] are more desirable than gold —

than an abundance of pure gold;

and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.

In addition, your servant is warned by them,

and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

Psalm 19:10-11 CSB
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Note that the king (David) humbly proclaims himself — though sovereign over men — as a SERVANT of the LORD. 

MORE fatherly advice: 
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But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive [lit. ‘acquit me – a legal determination] my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent [lit. acquitted] of great transgression.

Psalm 19:12-13 NIV

Redeemed for our transgressions

How can a mere man stand before the glory of the Lord our God?

David intercedes in his Psalm on behalf of his loyal subjects. (For his mercy endures forever. – Psalm 136)

transgression (84x), trespass (5x), sin (3x), rebellion (1x). – pešaʿ -פֶּשַׁע

AND you have heard it before — from the later prophesy of Isaiah long after the fall of King David’s chosen nation.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our peace fell upon Him,
And by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 LSB – of the suffering servant

Even Christ JESUS — Son of David; Son of Man — the very Son of the Father — born in the flesh and crucified for the redemption of those chosen to eternal life — will return in his GLORY!!!

David’s familiar benediction:
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a plea of my own heart frequently heard from the pulpit by the flock of Christ as an invitation to receive Scripture into your own heart: 
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 ESV

Secure Links to sources
June 21, 2025
Christ’s Contractor in Corinth
You are God’s building

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation,

and another is building on it.

But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 3:10 LSB

The Architect of the Corinthian Church

ἀρχιτέκτων – architektōn

a master builder, an architect, the superintendent in the erection of buildings

APOSTLES, all ministers of the Lord Jesus, Paul points out to the Corinthians, each have different roles at various times in the process of growing the church and your faith.
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So why do you have divisions claiming that you belong to that powerful preacher Apollos OR Cephas of the Twelve OR Paul?
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The apostle’s approach to these Hellenists of Corinth:

I am just an architect with the blueprint for you to use as you grow in your faith and as a church. Give all attention to the Foundation.

Who is building on it?

Apollos. AND other ministers to the Corinthians.

Apollos and Paul – Apostles crossing paths

Paul laid a foundation. It is a picture familiar to Greeks not only of buildings and walls, but a great metaphor for first principles establishing truth.

I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.
1 Corinthians 1:10b NKJV

The Master Builder OR Architect is no more important than those laborers who continue to build on the foundation. The Architect or MASTER builder here issues instructions to the laborers similar to what any superintendent of an important project of work might do:

But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 1:10c NKJV

But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
1 Corinthians 1:10c NLT

The ARCHITECT (Paul) writes a caution using yet another metaphor for the first principles of building a CHURCH.

In fact, Paul points out, the foundation has already been built!

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 3:11 NKJV
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Such imagery once familiar through worship Hymns with a Scriptural foundation, i.e. "The Church's One Foundation" [is Jesus Christ our Lord].
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the Day shall declare it

The Corinthians and others of the Hellenist Aegean walked in ruins of great temples erected to many gods — glorious buildings of the Macedonian Alexander conquered, destroyed and being rebuilt by a distant Rome.

Paul puts our current work on the building (be it a temple, church building or the Church itself) into the context were WE are its assigned builders.

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear..
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Do you see that every LABORER'S work matters here when building on the Great foundation before the work is finished (by many others)?
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If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 1:14 NKJV

The Wages of Work for Christ

REWARD! (Perhaps you think of it as a ‘BONUS!’)

YOU do not receive a bonus reward until completion of the work. What if the building is not finished before your death?
- What good is any reward for a lowly minister of the Corinthians building a church which will only be completed AFTER our death and then destroyed by others?
Reward – μισθός – misthos

dues paid for work, wages, hire
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Okay, I get that; maybe a bigger wage for some work.
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reward: used of the fruit naturally resulting from toils and endeavours
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MORE: Pay attention here, and then we will get back to Paul's text.
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1. in both senses, rewards and punishments
2. of the rewards which God bestows, or will bestow, upon good deeds and endeavours
3. of punishments
Paul has already reminded us of this two-sided coin of God’s reward for our labor.
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It is the SAME REWARD to which the apostle points for laborers in the field.
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each man’s work will be revealed.

For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire;

and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.
1 Corinthians 3:13 HNV
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and the flip-side of the coin of REWARD:
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If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

Picture of the Completed Church

If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward..

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:14,16 NKJV

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Let no man glory in men
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Do you recall the divisions of the Corinthians caused by their loyalty to a preacher?
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18 Let no one deceive himself.

If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

Is he writing to me?

Paul suggests that “anyone among you” Corinthians may seem like the wisdom-worshiping Hellenist philosophers of ancient Greece (330-63 B.C.). Of course the present age belongs to Rome governing Corinth for more than a century now.

And counter to Greek culture Paul advises, “let him become a fool.”

What we of this Common Era age may not understand is that the wise [sophos] in this world are not entirely exact opposites of fools [μωρός] which suggests a root word [mystērion] which means:
- a hidden thing, secret, mystery
  - generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals
Have an open mind to the wisdom of GOD.

Let no man deceive himself. KJV

Paul has already written:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory..
1 Corinthians 2:7 NKJV

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

Now the Paul writes, as the Apostle often does, quoting Scripture:

For it is written,

“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; quoting Job:

He catches the wise in their craftiness,

and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
Job 5:13 BSB

20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile,” recalling Psalm 94:11.

Psalm 94:
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1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs—
O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
Render punishment to the proud.
3 Lord, how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph?
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8 Understand, you senseless among the people;
And you fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?
He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,
He who teaches man knowledge?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man,
That they are futile.
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Had Paul possibly previously taught the hymn of PSALM 94 to the Corinthians?
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NO Boasting in anthrōpos

So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours..
1 Corinthians 3:21 NIV
- So let no one boast..
- Therefore let no man glory in men.
It’s all the same word: καυχάομαι – kauchaomai —
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 glory (23x), boast (8x), rejoice (4x), make boast (2x), joy (1x).
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Again, Paul has already introduced the all-important dichotomy between giving GOD glory (boasting in God) and giving various mortal men, even church leaders such glory.
- that no flesh should glory in His presence. – 1 Corinthians 1:29 KJV
- therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:31 NIV
Human Leaders

ἄνθρωπος – anthrōpos

DIVISIONS, Paul asks?

Do you GLORY over mere men like your PREACHER or some APOSTLE?
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31X Paul speaks of men [anthrōpos] in 1 Corinthians, the most in any Epistle.

And what does the Apostle say?
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For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV, 2:9b NIV

3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

1 Cor 4:1 NIV

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
July 17, 2024
Honor and Glory be to God in the Highest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Mz-LoA0Ds
Honor and Glory 1 min 44 sec

A protest song?

I grew up in the 1960’s, a time full of protest songs. And this was one of my favorites, an a capella version in English from a German composer.

So what qualifies this as a protest song? BACH was a Protestant.

For years his hymns and music heavily taken from Scripture were banned from the Roman Catholic church (although now, Bach is back even in Catholic worship).

To the King of of the ages

You may have heard today’s short take on Scripture as a benediction of worship:

Now to the King [lit. of the ages] eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory [lit. to the ages of the ages] forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 NASB20

And the Protest?

..fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
1 Timothy 1:81b-19 NASB20

Even some who claim Christ will not give honor to the Father and glory to God in the Highest.

Do you agree, disagree or have an example?

To learn more about Bach and his faith listen here.

March 19, 2022