I woke up early this morning singing the words of Psalm 51: O Lord, open thou our lips. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise! (BCP p2 in Morning Prayer)
The Book of Common Prayer was first published in English in 1549, but its pages did not produce a new way of worship. Its forms and words have guided the Church through the ages, from the time of Christ to this very moment. In the Prayer Book I am connected to the Apostles and early Church, the Coliseum, the catacombs, the Church Fathers and the Councils. I am walking in the footprints of St. Paul, St. Mary, St. Peter, St. Martha, St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine, St. Columba, St Bernard and Lancelot Andrews.
On days when my faith is weak and prayer is difficult, the Prayer Book leads me to the throne of grace. On days when my thoughts are clouded by care and sorrow, the Prayer Book leads me to the mercy seat. On days when I am close to God and rejoice to seek and praise Him, the Prayer Book leads me to the glorious throne of God’s kingdom. In each and every situation the Prayer Book leads me to worship God in Spirit and in truth because the Prayer Book prays the Holy Scripture. The more I use it, pray it, and worship by it, the more the truths of Holy Scripture lay hold of our souls.
Now, back to Psalm 51: O Lord open thou our lips, and our mouth shall show forth thy praise ... In MP we begin with Confession, Absolution and the gracious words, "Our Father," in the Lord's Prayer ... Now we are ready to sing, to show forth God's praise.
In Psalm 51 ... David had refused to confess his sins ... God, through Nathan, brought David to repentance. Despite the overwhelming sense of his sin and guilt — David said that God had crushed his bones — David is brought to praise the God who forgiveth all our sin, for his mercy endureth forever! After David confesses his sin, he is fit to receive the good graces of God ... it is then that his “heart overfloweth with a good matter .... His tongue the pen of a ready writer” Psalm 45
When David's unconfessed sins had taken hold of his soul, he was unable to sing.
THE SINS OF ISRAEL AND THE LACK OF SINGING
When Israel’s sins were such that God finally had them exiled from Sion ... they wept bitter tears:
Psalm 137 ... By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept, when we remembered Sion ... For there our captors demanded of us songs, and tormenters mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Sion.” But how can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
REMOVED FROM GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM THEY WERE RENDERED SILENT
The world glorifies God, sings its praises to its creator. But God is not enthroned on the praises of creation, but on the praises of his people ... who gather together to render thanks for the great benefits we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise. Man is created “Homo adorans.”
God’s greatness, our sin, God’s mercy .... When we open our lips we sing: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost ....As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen, BCP p.3.
Often called the lesser doxology ... In this one-sentence prayer, time and eternity are combined in a compressed expression of doxology, praise of God. In the Ancient Church, as in the BCP, the Gloria Patri was always sung at the end of each Psalm.
Sola Deo gloria ... It is from this principle: that glory belongs to God alone, that we offer up this prayer and praise. Glory be to the father ...
After confession, absolution and the "Our Father," we are ready to sing ... O Come let us sing unto the Lord, let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation!
This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
JSH+