(#3)Scripture's Worship Refrains

Worship Service #2 makes use of an important Scriptural worship refrain, "Who is like you?" Service #3 uses another, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God."

Scripture has a number of these "refrains." The fact that they are repeated in several places tells us of the important role they played in worship, and so underlines the importance of the truths they speak of. They are useful to provide some structure to worship (whether tight or loose), and to draw us back to the central truths. (They also may serve as models for developing our own "worship refrains.")

* Hint: when using these refrains, read the passages in which they appear, noting what is the same AND what is different. A writer may use a familiar refrain with a significant "twist." For instance, Micah 7 pulls together the language of Exodus 34 and 15 by transforming the refrain from Exodus 15 to "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin. . . . "

(The following list is by no means exhaustive, though I attempt to point out the most important refrains.)

Many refrains are found in, or flow out of two great passages in the book of Exodus--the celebration of the "Song at the Sea"(Exodus 15) and the revelation of God's name in Exodus 34 .

THE SONG AT THE SEA: EXODUS 15:1-18

Its strongest echoes are found in Micah 7:15-20, Rev.15:2-4

Who is like you?/There is no other like you

Exodus 15:11, Micah 7:18

Psalm 86:8-10, Jer 10:6-7, Psalm 77:13, 89:6-8, 113:5-6, 1 Sam 2:2; 2 Chr 6:14, 7:3

variations:

• who can proclaim his wonders: Psalm 106:2
• who can fathom/no one can fathom: Isaiah 40:12-14, 25, 45:18 Psalm 145:3
• who will not fear you: Rev.15:3
• who can stand: Nahum 1:6, Mal 3:2

"The LORD is my strength and my song, he also has become my salvation" (Exodus 15:2) echoed in Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2

The Psalms frequently use similar language about God as the one who is mighty to save: he is the LORD my/our: refuge (example, 46:1); Rock, fortress (18:1-2; 62:2,6), strong tower (61:3), shield (28:7); salvation (27:1) hiding place (32:7), Redeemer (19:14)

THE NAME: "The LORD is compassionate and gracious" Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 111:4, 116:5, 145:8, Jonah 4:2; 2 Chr 30:9.

A related refrain is the call, "Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love endures forever." Psalms 100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1-4, 29, 136:1; 2 Chr 5:13; 20:21; Jeremiah 33:11.

Other Worship Cries:

• Holy! Holy! Holy! (Isaiah 6:3, Rev.4:8)
• Glory to God (Lk 2:14, 19:38)
• Worthy (Rev 4:11, 5:9,12)
• Hallelujah! ["Praise the LORD"]
• Hosanna!["O save" from Ps 118: 25] (Piper on "Hosanna!")
• Maranatha! ["Come, Lord!"]
• Be exalted!
• Arise, O Lord! (Num 10:35, Ps 68:1, 132:1)
• AMEN!(Piper on "Amen")

Also, depending on the sermon, the "sermon response" time may draw from any of the sections listed in this order. Should the response this week be linked with a time of celebration? at time of consecration? a time of confession or intercession? an offering?

Check out Service #3 "Behold His Glory !" (See also the Compass article, "Vision of God".)