Not unto Us O LORD

Not unto Us O LORD
Psalm 115:1 states, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.” The Hebrew word kabowd (3519) which is translated glory in the AV means figuratively splendor, copiousness, glorious, or honor.  Sometimes Christian musicians struggle with the “us” part of musicing unto God.  The psalmist very clearly states that copious splendor and glorious honor must be lavished on YAHV rather on “us”.   At the time the 115th Psalm was written, there was an apparent problem with those who were not giving God honor and praise.

            Christian humanists, somewhat like secular humanists, by their actions show proofs that they believe that God must share the glory and honor with “us”.  A person is either a humble servant of Jesus Christ with responsibilities rather than rights when it comes to that person’s musicing.  Every musician must be sure that his or her musicing in the context of Christian worship is done with the single purpose of giving God all the glory and praise  A Christian musicing is not that persons personal performance and aggrandizement but rather it is about that person’s grateful response to a merciful God who has shown mercy to one who was bound in chains of sin.  The truth of the matter is that God loved “us” so much that He, for Christ’s sake, forgave us of all  our unrighteousness.  That is why we, like the psalmist, declare “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”