In the Book of Common Prayer, this is this morning's second Psalm; and its infectious joyfulness seemed a good thing to share. The "beauty of holiness" is often interpreted by Anglican liturgophiles as if it meant the holiness of beauty; but reading Juliana of Norwich or St John of the Cross suffices to show that the original holds a deeper, and not incompatible, truth. I do like the rejoicing trees.
2 Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name : be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his honour unto the heathen : and his wonders unto all people.
4 For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised : he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols : but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6 Glory and worship are before him : power and honour are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people : ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.
8 Ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name : bring presents, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness : let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
10 Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King : and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved; and how that he shall judge the people righteously.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad : let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it : then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.
13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth : and with righteousness to judge the world, and the people with his truth.
I do love the rejoicing trees, as your friend Lauren Silberman does too, and I can overlook the unmoving earth. After all, nobody knew better and psychologically, to our perceptions, it is movingly unmoving. Thanks, Hrothgar.
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