The Firmament of His Power

            Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Psalms 150:1 (KJV)

 

            The word, praise (llh halal) has more depth of meaning than often considered. This word, halal, means, to shine, flash forth light and  make a boast in, by dancing wildly like a madman. It also carries the idea of celebrating a marriage.

                As we celebrate our God, the LORD (hy Yahh, or Jah), we flash forth light as we dance in celebration of our marriage to Jah, the Lord, most vehement.        

            The sanctuary (vdq qodesh) is the place set apart and dedicated to holy things. It is a sacred place where those of faith worship God (la ‘el), Immanuel, the one true God who is with us. It intimates the mighty God Man, Jesus the Christ.

                We praise Him who is both LORD and the mighty God Man in the place designated as the firmament of His power.

                This word, firmament (eyqr raqiya‘) speaks of an extended surface (solid), an expanse (flat as base, support) and the vault of heaven supporting waters above). The thought of heaven supporting waters above it is intriguing to me. It will be interesting if and when the scientific community comes to the place where this can be verified and quantified if it has not been already.

            On the spiritual side I find a strong argument for the assembly of believers in a set apart and dedicated facility. This structure (what we call, “the church”) is said to be the place of “the firmament of His power”. The word translated, power, is the word, ze ‘oz, (or, fully, zwe ‘owz), meaning, might, strength and power. Therefore, the church building, where believers assemble, is the “vault of heaven” that provides the foundation for, and support for, the “waters above” (Words of God) that have been given a higher stature than even the name of God. As Psalm 138:2 (KJV) says, “ thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name”.

            To join those who say, “there is no need to go to church,” is to live outside the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim. 3:15). The refreshing rains of the Spirit will never touch such a one. The “waters above” are only released upon those who have been in the church to celebrate their marriage to the “Mighty God Man.”

 

George

 

Copyright (c) 2009 George M. Stover Jr.