NORTHERN STYLE NEWSWATCH No. 26
CREDO
` His Foundation is in the Holy Mountain'
From a knowledge of Scripture, that apart from those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and
Saviour all mankind is in rebellion against God, we also know that the outcome of that
rebellion will be war against their fellow-men. That this is understood to be true is seen in
the words of a writer in the middle of the nineteenth century. He wrote: `War appears to
be as old as mankind but peace is a modern invention'. Peace, as it is understood in
contemporary international affairs, is indeed a modern invention, and with the world scenario
before us of `wars and rumours of wars' it would appear to be a very fragile invention
indeed and liable to break down with dire consequences for all who have trusted in it.
Although we are well aware that before these words are read the immediate `rumour of war'
could have faded away, or even been outworked, the principal thought contained in that
writer's cryptic remark remains true.
However, with the efforts of various European philosophers over the past centuries which
have sprung out of the Enlightenment `the modern invention of peace' seems to have
produced the desired effect. Certainly the spectre of war has been pushed back to `far away
places with strange sounding names' (as a song of yesteryear puts it), and for the average
person living in the west peace has become an accepted and expected state of life. Little
wonder that because of the shock and anxiety that entered the emotional life of people in the
west - through the events of what have become known as `September 11th' - the Middle
East seems too close for comfort. Once again the protest marchers appear on our TV screens
and on our radios, with national leaders and high-ranking clerics at logger-heads over how
to deal with the probable breakdown of the modern invention of peace. Under the new titles
of `multilateral' and `unilateral' the war of words swirls to and fro, with Christian
`conspiracy' theorists adding their warnings of impending doom to the debate, and no clear
thought seems to be emerging. Such is the wisdom of man! Limiting our words to the
western democratic states we have no doubt that the duly elected leaders of those countries
have no desire to enter into war against other countries. Certain international organisations
such as the United Nations have been put in place to ensure that `the modern invention of
peace' is maintained at all costs, and the main area of disagreement arises through the
differing opinions of how these international organisations take up their collective
responsibilities. But Christian conspiracy theorists need to be particularly careful as the
sensational words they use can so easily enter into the consciousness of the Church and
distort its natural and spiritual discernment. Where once it was `reds under the beds', now
we are in danger of seeing the antichrist in every action of disturbed and concerned leaders
of the various nations states.
The circumstances in which we find ourselves have developed over many centuries and they
particularly arise through the work of philosophers who emerged around the time of the so-
called Enlightenment, and if we would point to one such man we would mention the Prussian
Emanuel Kant, born in Konigsberg in 1724. He was perhaps one of the most influential
philosphers of his day, his work having passed down into today's international organisations
that are even now grappling with the modern invention of peace. Up until that point in the
1700's it had been accepted that mankind was generally said to be corrupted by the
circumstances in which they lived. If only the institutions of that time could be reformed -
it was thought - man's natural goodness would emerge! Not so, said Kant. Now
institutions must be put in place in order to curtail the essentially evil intent of despotic kings
and princes who had dominated the western countries over the centuries. Under the banner
of `Republicanism' the voice of the people would be heard (over the authority of kings and
princes, of course) which, collectively, would form into a `League of Nations' and so
produce the `invention of peace'. These thoughts, along with others, eventually formed the
`Concert of Europe' - not quite what Kant had in mind, but it provided a peace of sorts
until it was finally disbanded and reformed into the League of Nations, which evolved into
what we now know as the United Nations.
The modern history of Europe has devolved from the so-called Peace of Westphalia in 1648,
which affirmed the sovereignty of the Nation State (with clearly defined national borders)
over its internal affairs, but with collective responsibility to deal with any rogue state which
sought to break the Treaty. It was to be `Peace', maintained by Treaties and State
Agreements, compromise and national alliances, all aimed at maintaining the status quo
through collective action - today called multilateralism. That is what has been termed by
a contemporary American Minister of Defense as `Old Europe' and is the basis for the
continual seeking of yet another UN Resolution, even though previous Resolutions have been
ignored. We could be in danger of calling such actions by `Old Europe' hypocritical or
compromising, unless we understand the long painful process which has produced such
national actions, formed as they were over long centuries in a sincere desire to end the
terrible history of wars which have constantly torn `Old Europe' apart.
Not so with the United States of America, secure in its geographical `fortress', with internal
dissension dealt with through a past brutal civil war. It has no need of treaties and alliances
to protect its national interests, and loses patience very quickly with what seems to be an
ineffectual and compromising United Nations which is the child of the European Peace of
Westphalia. One person has called it `a different interpretation of one agreed vision' -
Peace by Enlightenment (Old Europe) or Peace by Power (USA). Europe, no matter how
God will work through it to eventually form the political base for the Antichrist to arise,
turns its back on power as a means to achieve what Emanuel Kant called `Perpetual Peace'
and is in the process of forming a self-contained Greater Europe governed by law,
international agreements and cooperation. Now confronted by what has been called an
historical `clash of civilizations' - the so-called East and West Divide, which also needs
to be looked at through the lens of Scripture - there appears to be a separation growing
between America and Europe. This division, if there is one appearing, needs to be set into
the context of what we have laid out in this Credo - one vision but with different
interpretations.
The United States of America is not an imperialist nation. Dominant it certainly is, but it
has no need to be imperialist, self-contained as it is by its geographical land mass and riches
of natural resources. Meanwhile Europe, beginning with the Peace of Westphalia, has
eventually turned its back on imperialist dreams and now looks towards a collective grouping
of nations which will break down natural barriers, hoping to turn itself into Kant's
`Perpetual Peace'. Finally, to complete this general overview of the West's contemporary
position, we find Russia emerging from the devatating blow to its national pride it received
through the collapse of the old Soviet Union, but still with its `Messianic Mission' intact
to `evangelise' the world and recapture its position as the `Third Rome', once again
undergirded by a militant and nationalist Orthodox Church. A very volatile pot of Kantian
`Perpetual Peace indeed!
Into such a pot has stepped at least one high-ranking UK cleric (others have followed suit)
who, although called an intellectual and a very spiritual man, is nevertheless using his natural
understanding to voice opinions over what is called in the media a `just war'. However the
purpose of this Credo is not to disparage any person but to give a general overview of the
political scene which has developed over the centuries, which is too vast a subject for a short
Credo. We would therefore turn our thoughts back to Scripture, the only authority under
which disciples of Jesus should live their lives in a Kingdom not of this world. Certainly we
need compassionate understanding of world history, but our ultimate concern must be with
extending the Kingdom of God.
The title of this Credo, which comes from the opening words of Psalm 87, takes us straight
to the heart of the matter . . from the kingdom of man to the Kingdom of God . . from
man's efforts to determine his future to God's will and purpose in establishing His Kingdom
of Peace and Righteousness. `His Foundation is in the Holy Mountain' proclaims that truth
in Scriptural terms. Mountains speak of power and strength, and the opening words of this
Psalm proclaim that no matter what man's efforts may seek to produce, throughout all events
run the purposes of a Holy and Righteous God, who has established His Foundation.
Therefore those who revere His Name need never be shaken by what unfolds in world
events! Set, as it is, in the Third Book of Psalms, its principal message corresponds with
that of the Third Book of the Law, the Book of Leviticus, and as such the message must be
understood in a Temple setting with priests ministering to a Holy God - and that by His
grace!
We must remember that in Scripture the Psalms in their original form had no psalm and
verse numbers, and the change of meaning and expressions came through `insertions' in
the script. Today we would call them `superscriptions', but that does not fully convey the
purpose of these insertions, which is to more fully comprehend the message being revealed.
These insertions, now separated by psalm numbers, are usually ignored as they can be placed
the `wrong side' of the numbering, but in being ignored the message of the following script
can be easily distorted. In this case the insertion opening Psalm 87 gives us an understanding
of the grace of God - given to `the Sons of Korah', who were called by God to `carry
on their shoulders things (of the LORD) for which they are responsible' (Numbers 7:9)
even though their forefathers and clansmen were destroyed following their rebellion against
God's appointed leader, Moses. We also see that it is a Mizmor, a Psalm to be sung, giving
understanding that, as it is sung, careful thought should be given as to why this should be
a meditative song. It has also been said that it is one of three Psalms in remembrance of the
bringing up of the Ark to Zion by David - which is why it is said to be `of the Sons of
Korah'.
The first occasion is remembered in Psalm 68 - when `(David) and all his men set out
from . . . to bring up from there the Ark of God' (2 Samuel 6:2). Set in the Second Book
of Psalms, it gives an understanding that this move of God concerns an exodus leading to a
deliverance and salvation for Israel, `Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered'. The
second occasion is remembered in Psalm 24 and recalls the entrance of the Ark of God into
Zion: (1 Chronicles 15:28-29 in part)
" So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the
sounding of ram's horns and trumpets . . . As the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD was
entering the city of David . . . . "
As we read through Psalm 24 we catch sight of the joy and exaltation in the words: (v7)
"Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of Glory may come in. "
This time the Psalm is in the First Book of Psalms, giving us the understanding that this
genesis, this beginning, is the work of God alone; He has determined it! David and his men
responded and brought the Presence of God into Zion, the place that God had determined His
dwelling place should be. This background gives us the understanding of why Psalm 87 is
a Mizmor - a song to be sung with joy whilst remembering with quietness of spirit what
God has done, is doing, and will bring to completion: (Psalm 87:1-2)
" His foundation is in the Holy Mountain;
the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob. "
If it is His foundation it is secure and unshakeable, no matter what wars and rumours of wars
there are all around us. We always need to take our thoughts, prayers and concerns for the
nation of God and remember those opening words, that `the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob'. With our eyes on the Lord, who has determined that
His Presence is on Mount Zion, `Jacob' will be secure, for it is said: (v3)
" Glorious things are said of you,
O City of God: "
We are then enjoined to `Selah' - to stop and remember, and enter into that complete
security and peace that only He can give through His word spoken and sealed. The Psalmist
is called to `make mention of Rahab and Babylon . . Philistia too, and Tyre, along with
Cush . . ' But all men's pride and strength seen in those titles are as nothing compared to:
" This man (who) was born in Zion.
Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
This man and that man were born in her,
and the Most High Himself will establish her.
The LORD will write in the register of the peoples,
`This man was born in Zion'. "
Three times it is recorded here that this man was born within God's purpose in Zion - an
unusual Hebrew word `Iysh', which is a word for `a champion' or `a mighty man'
revealing this Man as the Messiah of God, David's Greater Son, who brings salvation, a
mighty deliverance for the nation of Israel and for all who will accept Him. Once again the
word `Selah' is inserted. As they sing and rejoice they remember what God has done, is
doing and will keep on doing, through this Man who was born in Zion, and `as they make
music they will sing, `All my fountains are in You'. Once again, just to remind us that it
is all of God's grace, comes the insertion `Selah' to remind us that it is a joyful song to
meditate on as we sing . . it is of the Sons of Korah . . for all who are saved by grace
through trusting in this Man born in Zion! The Psalm is finally entrusted to the Chief
Musician of the Temple, to be brought out at times needed to remind the people that the Ark
of the Covenant of God is secure in Zion, and it is to be sung according to `Mahalath
Leannoth', which means `with great shouting, dancing and singing' - always associated
with the majesty of God, as we saw recorded in 1 Chronicles 15. We too are in that
company who know that we are born and secure in Zion, for God's Presence is secure in the
hearts of all who trust in this Man born in Zion. The world invents peace! God has
ordained it through the Man born in Zion. As we listen to the media we need always to
`Selah', to pause, consider and be reminded once again that `ALL my fountains are in You'!
The apostle Paul wrote in a later age: (Galatians 2:20)
" I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I
live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
In these times in which we live we need the Chief Musician to bring out this Psalm once
again to remind us of this glorious truth - and rejoice!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
FOOTNOTE:
In case readers of this Credo are unfamiliar with the repeated use of the expression `The
Books of the Psalms', and to avoid constant repetition within the Credo, we add this
Footnote.
You will find that in most modern versions of the Bible the Psalms are divided into five
separate Books. This is in accordance with what is written in the Midrash - a Jewish
commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures (based on Psalm 1:1) which says:
" Moses gave to the Israelites the five Books of the Law, and corresponding
with these David gave them the five Books of the Psalms. "
To confirm that this is a correct understanding, we have the words of Jesus when talking to
His disciples concerning Israel's rejection of Him as Messiah: (John 15:25)
" But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law:
`They hated Me without reason'. "
This is a direct quote from Psalm 69:4, which is set in the Second Book of Psalms,
corresponding to Exodus, the principal message of which concerns deliverance and salvation.
The Five Books of the Law are:
Genesis: The Book of Beginnings - that which God had purposed
Exodus: The Book of Deliverance - a foreshadowing of the Messiah
Leviticus: The Book of Holiness - the priestly ministry within the Temple
Numbers: The Book of the Wilderness - testing the faithfulness of the people
Deuteronomy: The Book of Repetition - before entering into the Promised Land
Therefore if we read the Psalms with this in mind regarding Israel and each individual who
accepts Jesus as Messiah and Christ, we will understand more fully the words of the apostle
Paul: (Galatians 3:24)
"So the Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ,
that we might be justified by faith. "
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