Myles Coverdale's preface, though somewhat difficult to read because of his Old English, has been one of my favorite source readings so far. I love the direct correlation he sees between worship and song: "For truly as we love, so sing we; and where our affection is, thence comes our mirth and joy. (102)" Later on, after explaining the reasons why a Christian might experience sorrow, he adds: "And thus God causes both the mirth and sorrow of them who love Him, to work for their profit, as all other things turn to their best."
For Coverdale, singing was a gift from God to express the Christian's praise toward Him. This great man of faith did not think that required happiness all the time. Instead, the mirth and joy he wrote about came from rejoicing in God's love. The sorrow came from the believer's trials and lingering presence of sin. The truth he wrote about is incredibly simple to understand, but I suspect it takes a lifetime to put into practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment