November 2, 2008

• My Dad has (for at least quite awhile) had an uneasy co-existence with a song that we sing in church on a regular basis. I've decided to try to give an (amateur) introduction to my understanding of this song—why it's meaningful, and what it means. This is naturally going to be based off of my own life—including my understanding of non-linear communication and intentional design.

  Oh, the song is "Majesty," if you don't know it... Um, Google it.

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  Majesty
  Worship His majesty
  Unto Jesus, be all glory
  Honor, and praise

  The introduction of any piece is very important—it sets up the assumptions and the understandings which will be referenced through the rest of it. The song begins with the word "Majesty." What are we to take from it? I suggest that we understand that it is atmospheric: The song is to be sung with the understanding that we are surrounded by majesty, whether we're in church, hangin' out at home, in the pits of a midaeval donjon, we are standing in the presence of the Creator King of existence, who dwells in unapproachable light; who dwells in perfect majesty.

  The second line pulls a humorous expansion: The king of a country is called "His Majesty, the King". When you bow to "His Majesty, the King", (Ok, that's a lot to write. I'm going to call it "HM" for short.) When you bow to HM, you're not bowing to the majesty of the king—you're bowing to the king. The second line, then, is a command: "Worship HM the Creator King of Earth and Heaven," which is continued and fulfilled by the remaining lines of this segment: "Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise". It's a command to us: Give Christ all glory, honor and praise, and it's an observation: Jesus, you deserve all the glory, honor and praise. The ambiguity is wonderful—is it a command? An observation? Sure.

  Majesty
  Kingdom authority
  Flow from His throne
  Unto His own
  His anthem raise

  Again, the verse begins with the atmosphere: Majesty. All of this is surrounded with majesty, infused with majesty. If the first verse is a command, this second is the result; if the first verse is a blessing, this second is blessing the Lord, this is the blessing to His servants: As Christ is given the glory, honor, and praise, or insofar as Christ is the Lord, we are given power—His power, not power to serve ourselves, but to serve Him, the Holy Lord.

  Essentially, then, the first two segments form a circle. As we recognize the perfect worth-iness of Christ (that He is the Son of the Living God) we are given the life to worship Him, (it is the living that praise Him). So what's the singing of His anthem suggesting? If the (U.S.) national anthem is a song remembering the glory of the nation, then the national anthem of the Kingdom of God is going to be, erm... a song remembering the glory of God. The Majesty of His Majesty.

  Majesty
  Worship His majesty
  Unto Jesus, be all glory
  Honor, and praise

  Majesty
  Kingdom authority
  Flow from His throne
  Unto His own
  His anthem raise

  We are human, we forget. We learn by repetition, and we remember by repetition. Christ gave us "The Lord's Supper" (a.k.a. communion, Lord's Table, Last Supper...) because He knew we forget. ("...in rememberance of Me."). We are reminded again that we are alive as we are praising, honoring, and glorifying the King.

  So exalt, lift up on high
  The name of Jesus
  Magnify, come glorify
  Christ Jesus the King

  Ah, the classic "therefore". If we derive our life from The Life, if we are because He is I AM, then what ought we do? Sit back on our Blessed Assurance and watch the world (in silence) fade into hell? NO! How can we be silent? It's not an option!

  Majesty
  Worship His majesty
  Jesus who died, now glorified
  King of all Kings

  Again the atmosphere, the environment of majesty. But this time, instead of just exhorting, encouraging, or observing, we have a confession: Jesus is King of Kings, He lived, He died, He is worthy.

  So exalt, lift up on high
  The name of Jesus
  Magnify, come glorify
  Christ Jesus the King

  Majesty
  Worship His majesty
  Jesus who died, now glorified
  King of all Kings

  Remember it! Remember that Jesus the Christ, Creator and Sustainer, is the origination and destination of glory—Not only does He deserve it all, but it is from Him that all glory comes. In Him there is no darkness at all.

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  I know it's oversung and underthought, and that its language nor its reasoning is easy-to-follow, but it's a beautiful song—And I'm not talking about the music... I have no great love (nor understanding) for the tune.

  • 1:20 pm
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