WORSHIP AND WITNESS

WORSHIP AND WITNESS

"Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands" Psa. 100:1

This is the wonderful song which, in metrical version, composed by William Kethe in days of Marian persecution, is known as the Old Hundredth. It is jubilant with confidence for the whole earth, as it contemplates the glory of that earth, when its entire people are submitted to the reign of Jehovah. What a pity, by the way, that so many of our hymn-books render the phrase, "Him serve with mirth," as "Him serve with fear," and thus rob the song of one of its chief notes! The relation of this song to the eight preceding ones is unmistakable, and whenever it was composed, its placing here by the guided editor was surely intentional. The eight Psalms have been those of the City of God, of the Sanctuary within that City, of the people who are its citizens, and the worshipers. Their worship is concluded, and now their witness begins. It is as though the gates of the City, the courts of the Sanctuary, were suddenly thrown open, and all lands are called to serve Jehovah Who in Revelation is revealed to be none other than Jesus Chris, to know that He is God, to enter into relationship with Him. Observe that I have italicized the words which mark the movement of this world-wide ap­peal, serve, know, and enter. The relation between these things is very suggestive. Worship is for God. Witness is for men. The strength of witness is cre­ated in worship. IT IS THOSE WHO KNOW COMMUNION IN THE SANCTUARY WHO ARE ABLE TO CALL MEN TO GOD PREVAILINGLY. It is equally true that THE ULTIMATE VALUE OF WORSHIP IS WITNESS. To praise God for all the wonders of His reign, and to fail to proclaim those wonders to such as dwell in darkness, is almost to blaspheme. The Songs of the Sabbath sung with face lifted toward the throne, and catching the light therefrom, must be sung on all the other days in the highways and byways of human life, with faces irradiated, and so shining upon men. Let us all be His reflectors.