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September 2009, Page 2.
Index of articles:
by subject,
by date.
In this issue:
(September 2009)
Back to church,
Song,
Question,
CAP Money,
Lectionary.
The ultimate wedding
Ride forth victoriously
Ride forth victoriously
in truth, love and justice and right!
Ride forth victoriously
anointed with grace and delight!
Your throne will last for ever!
Darkness will never sever
you from the people
you ransomed and called by your name.
Lord Jesus,
Ride forth victoriously
for yours is the glory and fame!
Ride forth victoriously
Lord Jesus, for ever the same!
Your bride, your church, awaits you now
to take us to your glory,
redeemed by your death
and released from Satan's story.
All glorious as a princess, we
are decked in maiden finery,
awaiting consummation
of your triumph in salvation,
With garlands woven in our hair,
embroidered lacework everywhere,
resplendent in the righteousness
which comes as we confess you
and in joy and gladness waiting
the time for celebrating
your rule,
your reign,
your pow'r,
your name.
Ride forth victoriously
and claim heav'n and earth for your own!
Ride forth victoriously
your Father has giv'n you your throne!
Nations will praise you, kingdoms acclaim you,
all generations will glorify your name.
Nations will praise you, kingdoms acclaim you,
all generations will glorify your name.
Words and music copyright © John Hartley 2009. All rights reserved.
Based on Psalm 45.
Suggested music: Mendelssohn's Wedding March.
Seeing as it is summer, weddings were on my mind as I read Psalm 45 one morning. It is entitled “a wedding song”, and when you read it through you see that it is a royal wedding: the strength of Israel’s king is celebrated in the first 9 verses, and his bride’s beauty in the last 8. So how is a Christian supposed to use it in his/her daily time of prayer?
Here’s how: The king in ancient Israel was a forerunner of the Messiah: Jesus himself fulfils the Old Testament’s ideals of the king. And his bride is the church - that’s us. You and I can look forward to the time when we will be united with him, dressed in shining white (as he has taken away our sins) and radiant because of his Holy Spirit who inhabits us.
So here’s a version of the psalm so that it can be sung to a famous tune: Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. We who believe in Jesus are his bride, and we can look forward to glory with him!
John Hartley