Speaking from the perspective of God

[Robbie_James_Francis]

What are your thoughts on hymns, like the verses of Here I am Lord for example, where those singing the hymn speak from the perspective of God ("I, the Lord of sea and sky.."etc.)??

Some people would say that it confuses the worship and it is not appropriate for adoration of the Divine. I'm not decided on this. I suppose I can see the argument that it confuses things and falls short of what we would consider 'worship' generally, but I can also see the honour and adoration expressed by repeating the Words of God lovingly and in worship of Him.

What do you think?

Rob

 

[A New Dawn]

What are your thoughts on hymns, like the verses of Here I am Lord for example, where those singing the hymn speak from the perspective of God ("I, the Lord of sea and sky.."etc.)??

Some people would say that it confuses the worship and it is not appropriate for adoration of the Divine. I'm not decided on this. I suppose I can see the argument that it confuses things and falls short of what we would consider 'worship' generally, but I can also see the honour and adoration expressed by repeating the Words of God lovingly and in worship of Him.

What do you think?

Rob

There are many parts to worship aside from praise. Commitment is one of them, and that hymn fits well into that phase of the service.

My favorite hymns is "I Gave My Life For Thee" by Frances Havergal.

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou mightst ransomed be, and quickened from the dead
I gave my life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne
I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone;
I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?

I spent long years for thee, In weariness and woe
That an eternity of joy thou mightest know
I spent long years for thee, hast thou spent one for me?

O let thy life be given, Thy years for Him be spent,
World fetters all be riven, And joy with suffering blent.
I gave myself for thee, Give thou thyself to me.


I think that this is what worship is all about. Personally.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I can see your point. Of course, the Bible is the word of God and we are to read that word. But I can also see that there is a danger of worship becoming about us (as I fear it has/is for many). Worship is addressed to God and not to us. So speaking from the perspective of God, the Object of our worship, may play a part in perverting the correct order of worship being directed towards God.

You do make a good point, however, and I have to say that there are a great number of hymns that I very much like in which the worshippers speak from the perspective of God. It doesn't make me completely confused, but I think that I am still at risk of internalising and looking to myself and not to God.

On the other hand, they remind me personally of God's word and Self-expression. The words of God, and His communincation of Himself to mankind (most especially in the Incarnation of His Eternal Word, Jesus Christ imo) are extremely beautiful and wise, for all good comes from Him. In this sense I can understand that hymns that use His words are not necessarily harmful.

Rob

 

[Ron_the_Nazarene]

... God knows the heart of each man (and woman). If your intentions are pure, and you're truly praising God, then God will know it and will honor it. We've spent too many years worrying about how others will interpret our relationship with God. When it all comes down to it, we'll all give an account to God for our actions ... not the actions of others.

 

[Maeyken]

When I sing songs like that, I think of God saying the words I am singing to me. It becomes God speaking to me through the music I am singing... it's not so much about what I am singing, but about what I am hearing. Does that make sense?

I'd never thought about singing songs from the perspective of God. Thanks for your post- it made me think!