Hi Brian!
The word that I had for this week is not found directly in the Bible. The word is "anthem". The Webster Dictionary says this about the word: a song or hymn of praise or gladness, a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively, a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures. When I looked up the word in regards to the Bible, this was one answer they gave me:
While the word "anthem" is not in the text of the Bible, several passages are frequently described as anthems by biblical scholars, theologians, and liturgical traditions. These are typically songs or declarations that celebrate God’s character or a major national deliverance. Here is one example:
Psalm 136: Known as the "Great Hallel," its repetitive refrain—"for his steadfast love endures forever"—is treated as a liturgical anthem of praise.
Here is that Psalm:
1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever —
4 To Him Who alone does great wonders, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
5 To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
6 To Him Who stretched out the earth upon the waters, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
7 To Him Who made the great lights, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever —
8 The sun to rule over the day, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
10 To Him Who smote Egypt in their firstborn, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 12:29.]
11 And brought out Israel from among them, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 12:51; 13:3,17.]
12 With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
13 To Him Who divided the Red Sea into parts, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 14:21,22.]
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
15 But shook off and overthrew Pharaoh and his host into the Red Sea, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
16 To Him Who led His people through the wilderness, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
17 To Him Who smote great kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
18 And slew famous kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever — [Deut 29:7.]
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Num 21:21-24.]
20 And Og king of Bashan, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Num 21:33-35.]
21 And gave their land as a heritage, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
22 Even a heritage to Israel His servant, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Josh 12:1.]
23 To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us [on His heart], for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
25 To Him Who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
AMP
This is a powerful declaration of GOD and Who He is! I LOVE this! Anthems can, and I believe SHOULD, be powerful! Many people with wonderful voices have sung our National Anthem for diffferent events, but the one that I prefer was sung by Dave Bray and is a FIGHT SONG, which I believe it should be! (Here is a link to that one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RALmt2IeWmA ).
My message for this week came about because of a song that Holy Spirit reminded me of from a few years ago by Hillsong Young and Free called "World Outside Your Window". This is a reminder that the GOSPEL is a POWERFUL weapon of SPIRITUAL WARFARE! And WE WIN! Here is that song:
Love Shalom from the Swoveys!
