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| Holy, Holy, Holy Mountain by Nathan Swann |
I worship in the place where Your glory dwells + from Psalm 99 | Holy, Holy, Holy in Endless Grace
Emmaus City Church (ECC) continues in our series in the Psalms based on the Lectionary Year A Readings that parts of Jesus' Church around the world are using in 2023 during the seasons of Epiphany and Lent, as well as Black History Month (BHM).
Amen! May it be so, Lord. Whether this is another unique special moment for Asbury, "an outpouring of the Spirit," or the beginning of a movement we will look back on and describe as a "historic revival in the U.S.," may we pray for those who are there and consider how God is inviting us to repent and worship in light of His holy desire for our hearts and lives.
This weekend's Psalm is Psalm 99, focused on God's generosity and justice. In Endless Grace: Prayers Inspired by the Psalms, Ryan W. Smith and Dan Wilt have written a targum (i.e. the ancient practice of rewriting sacred text in today's vocabulary; see Psalm 29, Psalm 40, Psalm 27, Psalm 15, and Psalm 112 for other examples). And while this prayer attempts to follow the structure of Psalm 99, this is not a paraphrase or translation; it is a prayerful response. The title they give 99's targum is "Holy, Holy, Holy."
This seems appropriate in light of the "Asbury Awakening" that seems to be happening in Wilmore, Kentucky right now. Some are calling a "surprising work of God." Others have described it as "a legitimate movement of the Holy Spirit." The beginning was merely a few students staying after a seemingly routine Christian college chapel service on February 8. And then the confessions, prayers, repentance, worship, and more haven't stopped for more than a week. Asbury President Timothy Tennant has shared about the "Asbury Awakening" that, "a deeper look at this outpouring reveals that it has the same elements which are found in any authentic revival: people repenting of their sins; people being filled with the Holy Spirit; men and women finding reconciliation with God and their neighbor; people capturing a renewed love for Jesus, the gospel and the Holy Scriptures. All of the above has been happening here day after day."
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us sinners.
We want to see You and worship, saying,
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty!"
For a relatively objective article written on February 16 about what is going on at Asbury, check out:
I think Psalm 99 that inspired the targum, "Holy, Holy, Holy," helps us right where we are, whether in Wilmore, Kentucky or Worcester, Massachusetts, worship the One who is holy and greatly to be praised as we continue in the holy wild of the final weekend of this season of Epiphany.
Psalm 99 | Holy, Holy, Holy
Perfect in love,
in unity, 1
the Lord our God –
holy, holy, holy. 2
Luminous presence,
blessed incarnation, 3
the Lord our God –
holy, holy, holy.
Centrifugal goodness,
centripetal grace,
the Lord our God –
holy, holy, holy.
My soul exalts You: 4
great,
awesome,
just,
kind,
the Lord our God –
holy, holy, holy.
I worship in the place
where Your glory dwells, 5
a priest in the kingdom of God: 6
keeper of the Way,
mediator of glory –
adorned in righteousness,
ushered beyond the veil.
In Your mercy, You
Answer.
Forgive.
Avenge.
Restore.
My soul exalts You:
great,
awesome,
just,
kind,
the Lord our God –
holy, holy, holy.
1 Inspired by the hymn
"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty" (1826)
by Reginald Heber
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| "Our Church Speaks" featuring Catherine of Alexandria by Ben Lansing |
Bonus Listen
by Poor Bishop Hooper
Bonus Song
CityAlight, 2016 A.D.
Who else commands all the hosts of heaven?
Who else could make every king bow down?
Who else can whisper and darkness trembles?
Only a Holy God ...
What other beauty demands such praises?
What other splendor outshines the sun?
What other majesty rules with justice?
Only a Holy God ...
Come and behold Him, the One and the only!
Cry out, sing "Holy!" Forever a Holy God,
Come and worship the Holy God.
What other glory consumes like fire?
What other power can raise the dead?
What other name remains undefeated?
Only a Holy God ... (Chorus)
Who else could rescue me from my failing?
Who else would offer His only Son?
Who else invites me to call Him Father?
Only a Holy God, only my Holy God ... (Chorus)
Bonus Reflection
Here are links to other recent City Notes (CN) books:
Red Skies; Story of God in a Sanitation Truck; The Artistry of What's Next; Seeds of Hope in the Rain & the Dark; Wrestling with God in Doubt; I've Seen What Hope Can Do; Baptism as the Way of Life; The Cross and Peacemaking Presence; Being with God; Knowing and Naming True Friends; Listening Closely & Paying Attention; Living and Loving Curiously with Wonder; Praying with Mary and Jesus; Waiting is the Womb; In the Holy Wild with the Lion Who Offers Us the Stream
With wild grace and holy shalom,
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